Singing Bowls

[EmpyreanKnight]

Last week, I bought a singing bowl from an online shop that imports stuff from China. I thought that since Tibet is practically under Chinese rule now, its assertion that it was made there is not too farfetched. And it was very cheap, like I can buy the item locally at triple the price, so I proceeded with the purchase.

 

I was initially aghast since it came in nothing more than plastic and some bubble wrap. The package included a smooth, golden brass singing bowl, a wooden striker with half of it wrapped in leather, and a comfy red- and yellow-patterned cushion. They were in excellent condition tho, so my misgivings melted away some.

 

I have previously watched some videos so I kinda had an idea as to how to play it. That was the very first time I played any singing bowl tho, so in the beginning there were a few fits and hiccups. After a while, I learned how to maneuver it better. And that's when it began to sing beautifully.

 

Done just right, it has a pure, undulating tone that I can stretch for quite a long time. I know I can make it last for more than a minute, tho I have yet to time it. But back to the tone, it makes a sweet, smoothly rippling sound that can recede or swell in strength depending on how well I glide the striker around its lip. I can even feel a subtly changing vibration in my left palm. Tip: hold your palm flat with a gentle dip in the middle to hold the base of the bowl in place.

 

I'm not that good yet, since sometimes its sweet song would be interspersed with some sibilant rasps when the leather skips across the outer rim in a certain way. It doesn't really mar the sound tho, and overall my bowl's just awesome. By the way, I just noticed that aside from the ringing sound it makes, when I initially strike the lip a certain way there is a higher counter-note that joins it! I thought singing bowls only hold one note, so I was very much surprised the first time I heard it. My bowl did it again this morning, so yeah I guess it is possible!

 

Every morning when I wake up, I ring and let it sing five times. It's a really refreshing way to start my day, much better than an alarm clock set on repeat lol.

 

I can definitely say that it's one of the best purchases I made this year. Something tells me that I'd be communing with him for a long time. How about you, what are your experiences with singing bowls? Do you have any of your own? How were they, and do you have any tips and techniques you want to share?

[sandrang123]

I use my singing bowl for meditation and to raise my vibrations in general. Love mine, too! I'm excited you got your first bowl and that it's been beneficial thus far. :) As far as it skipping, try going slower and stay in the moment. Also make sure your palm is entirely flat. When I don't have a flat palm, my ring sometimes hits the bowl and that makes the sound skip, too.

[EmpyreanKnight]

Ok, I must go slow and keep my palm flat. I don't wear any ring tho, but I'd still try this.

 

Thanks sandrang123, and welcome to the Forums! I'm a bit new here myself, so yeah. :D

[EmpyreanKnight]

I find that even if I'm trying to go slow, the striker still makes this scratching sound against the rim, especially if it's ringing loudly. Can I put some oil on the leather or would it get ruined?

[sandrang123]

I'd think that would ruin the leather! Have you tried using the bowl with water in it? That's always pretty cool, too.

Best Wishes,

sandy

[EmpyreanKnight]

Hmmm yeah it might. :(

 

But yeah, I think making it sing with water is a good idea! I'll definitely try that. Thanks, sandrang123. :D

[katrinka]

Yes, the water - just do it!  ;D

 

I have two - a smaller one I got in the 90's, and a bigger one I got this year. The big one has a Green Tara etched into it. I'll trty to remember to take a photo when the light is better and post it.

 

I've never been able to totally eliminate the rasp - it happens when I'm not being completely mindful. I think that's the whole point.  ;)

 

[sandrang123]

I rasp a lot, too. Mostly I notice it's when I break with the "flow" and my analytic mind starts intruding, etc. Same thing with yoga! Damn my brain.  ;D

[EmpyreanKnight]

Yes, the water - just do it!  ;D

 

I have two - a smaller one I got in the 90's, and a bigger one I got this year. The big one has a Green Tara etched into it. I'll trty to remember to take a photo when the light is better and post it.

 

I've never been able to totally eliminate the rasp - it happens when I'm not being completely mindful. I think that's the whole point.  ;)

 

 

I rasp a lot, too. Mostly I notice it's when I break with the "flow" and my analytic mind starts intruding, etc. Same thing with yoga! Damn my brain.  ;D

 

Hey that's a good idea, katrinka! I'm going to take a pic of mine too. I'm curious about yours, sandrang123. :D

 

Mine's just like a regular smooth bowl with absolutely no frills. It might be small and plain, but when it sings it turns into quite a virtuoso.

 

And the point about being mindful gives me pause. I'll try to be absolutely in the moment when I play it next time. Thanks. :)

[AJ-ish/Sharyn]

I love music from armonicas, there was a beautiful lengthy download but I can't find it now.

[katrinka]

Here we go. I brought them out to the kitchen so the Tara would show up in the photo.

Both of the strikers are new and came with the large bowl. I still have the original striker for the small bowl. It's plain wood with no leather or padding. It used to be fragrant - I think it might actually be sandalwood.

 

 

The outer surface of the smaller bowl is milled, but the large one is gently hammered:

 

 

You can see the cushions here. The small bowl has a donut with a Bhutan cloth cover. I'm pretty sure that bowl was Fair Trade from Nepal. The large bowl has a simple donut wrapped in fabric that might be silk but is probably synthetic.

 

 

The larger ones are worth getting, the tone is amazing.

[sandrang123]

Gorgeous! I love the large ones, too, though I dream of getting one for each chakra (expensive, though!).

Thanks for sharing your pics. <3

 

[EmpyreanKnight]

The one with Tara is gorgeous! Do bigger bowls mean lower notes, katrinka?

 

Yeah, those chakra bowl sets are quite expensive. But for something really special, I've heard of crystal bowls that sing oh so beautifully, tho you'd be singing in pain too once the charges reflect on your card bill lol.

 

Gonna post a pic of mine tomorrow. He doesn't come with frills tho. ;D

[sandrang123]

I will post pics, though my space is messy with incense and sage. (Mental note: Must clean, Sandy!) Also, pardon my little yoda. ::) I keep my bowl with crystals, though, for company.

 

[katrinka]

That's a stunner! (Cool Yoda is and needs no pardon.  ;D) Impressive crystals, too.

 

EmpyreanKnight, as a rule the bigger ones are lower. Mine is. But sometimes there are exceptions due to shape and thickness. You might find this interesting: http://bestsingingbowls.com/singing-bowl-types/

[sandrang123]

Lol! I do love me some Yoda. :)

 

That large chunk of selenite was gifted to me way back when, in Cincinnati. It's great for channeling info. I used to use it with a girlfriend--we'd place our hands on it and meditate together and we'd hone in on the same images--but now she's in another state and there's no one around me currently that gets into crystal work. Makes me so bummed! One of the reasons, though, why I'm happy I found this forum. (Which is to say, you guys are great XO.)

[EmpyreanKnight]

Thanks for the link, katrinka!

 

And Sandy, that was such an awesome space! I didn't know you're into crystals too. I just love em crystal bracelets, I have more than 20 and they're still growing. I only wear the darker, less flashy ones outside tho. I get charged more too since I need more stones, having bigger wrists than their usual clientele.

[EmpyreanKnight]

Alright, here is my space:

 

 

I took the time to cleanse some of my crystals with incense and my singing bowl of course. Here you can see him drinking up their rapt attention.

 

I'm currently working with the Barbara Walker Tarot, which I've fallen hard for. Last night was also the first time I worked with the Wild Unknown and the Modern Spellcaster's. I cleansed them a bit and checked the cards before subjecting them to a deck interview. It seems like the Modern Spellcaster's prefers to be an active, war-time deck, while the Wild Unknown can also play that part when necessary, but is more introspective, favoring the role of a peace-time minister.

[Bodhiseed]

About 15 years ago I went to a "Love Festival" in a nearby town that included a group of Tibetan lamas. They had several things for sale to benefit the "Free Tibet" movement, including the singing bowl I purchased. I've found that when I (or someone else) is agitated, it won't 'sing.' For this reason, using it helps me become calmer and more grounded in the moment.  ;)

[katrinka]

All of this is stunning.  :D

 

EmpyreanKnight, you're got a Pi Yao in your bowl? I love Pi Yao! I have a jade one I wear all the time, and a few others around the house.

I haven't hit the lottery, but they do seem to do *something*.  ;)

[sandrang123]

I love that we are sharing pics of our "space" and bowls. All of the spaces are gorgeous. (The bowls must be so happy!)

[EmpyreanKnight]

About 15 years ago I went to a "Love Festival" in a nearby town that included a group of Tibetan lamas. They had several things for sale to benefit the "Free Tibet" movement, including the singing bowl I purchased. I've found that when I (or someone else) is agitated, it won't 'sing.' For this reason, using it helps me become calmer and more grounded in the moment.  ;)

 

Whoa, that must have been really interesting. Also, at least you know that your singing bowl is genuinely Tibetan.

 

And I love your eastern altar, especially the dragon

[EmpyreanKnight]

All of this is stunning.  :D

 

EmpyreanKnight, you're got a Pi Yao in your bowl? I love Pi Yao! I have a jade one I wear all the time, and a few others around the house.

I haven't hit the lottery, but they do seem to do *something*.  ;)

 

Oh hey, you have very sharp eyes, katrinka. Yup, that's a tiger's eye Pi Yao. I know it's an altogether different mythical creature, but the deep yellow and dark brown stripes does make it look a bit like a tiger, so it's very apt. :) And hmmmm I think I'd wear it more often and buy more of them too if it's going to bring me all that $$$. ;D

 

I love that we are sharing pics of our "space" and bowls. All of the spaces are gorgeous. (The bowls must be so happy!)

 

Yay! I can just feel that they are. Like they know how much our crystals appreciate the way their songs cleanse them, and they're only too happy to have so many admirers lol. :D

[Trogon]

I've got two singing bowls. The first one I got is a smaller bronze bowl with a black finish which is (I guess) put on in such a way that it leaves areas of the brass uncovered in the form of letters & patterns. This one came with a solid wood stick which has no leather on it. It works beautifully as long as the surface of the wood doesn't dry out too much (a definite problem in our dry climate). When it does get too dry, I find that the bowl will only play at a higher (and slightly unpleasant) tone than normal - but all I need to do is apply some furniture oil, let it soak in for a bit, and it's good to go.

 

The other is a large fused quartz bowl (very low G). It came with a leather covered stick which has not dried out.

 

Both bowls definitely need me to be in a somewhat calm state of mind to start with. If I'm too uptight, I definitely have trouble getting a good tone out of them, or getting them to "sing" at all. But, I have found that using them more as a bell (tapping them for a single note) is a good way to help me get in the right "place" to play them.

 

My spaces are all cluttered right now. ::). But I'll try to get a couple of pics in the next couple of days.

[EmpyreanKnight]

Thanks to that tip regarding the furniture oil, Trogon. I just googled and of course leather oil is a thing. I've only ever known of leather polish (must make sure them shoes are always bright and shiny) but yeah, I'm going to check this out. :)