The Himalayan Singing Bowls

Himalayan Singing Bowls | Soul Sound Therapy

I love the Himalayan bowls. They are lovely instruments. It has taken a little while to learn how they like to be played. They all respond in different ways so you have to work out how to bring out the best in them. I find they tend to prefer being played in the evening! They really sing their heads off when the sun is going down.

I have 7 bowls, the biggest is called Betty. She has a beautiful rich low tone, which is used for entrainment. You can't overplay her as she doesn't like it and makes some buzzing noises. But once she gets going - wow - she can go on for ages!

Another smaller bowl belonged to my mum - she is called Beryl (the bowl not my mum). This bowl really likes to be played with a violin bow. She produces a high pure tone, which is really useful for transitioning between instruments.

The bowls are part of the gong and bell family, dating back to about 4,000 years ago (the Bronze Age), to China. Most sources state that these bowls are made using seven metals. This isn't actually true. After testing at Oxford University it has been found that both new and antique singing bowls made by hand only contain copper and tin (bronze). This is a very pure alloy, and creates the best sound. Machined bowls are made from copper and zinc (brass).

Traditionally the bowls would be made by hand, hammering the bowl into shape from a flat piece of metal. Sometimes flourishes, such as sacred symbols and mantras would be added by hand to machine made bowls to ward off evil spirits or offer protection. The belief was that as the bowls were played, the sound would go out to the universe, taking the symbol or mantra with it.

Most people find the Himalayan bowls harmonically rich: warm and deeply comforting. A bit like receiving a sonic cuddle. Looking forward to sharing the wonderful sounds these bowls make.

#himalayansingingbowls #soundtherapy #healingsounds #vibrations #soniccuddle #soulsoundtherapy