How to Play a Tibetan Singing Bowl and What to Look For When Buying

A Tibetan singing bowl is played with a mallet in two ways: by striking the rim lightly, or by running the mallet around the outside of the rim. When buying, you go first by your own ear; alongside it you look at size, wall thickness, how the bowl was made and the mallet. Both are set out step by step below.

What is a Tibetan singing bowl?

A Tibetan singing bowl is a metal bowl that rings for a long time when it is struck or when its rim is rubbed. In Turkish it goes by several names: Tibet çanağı, Tibet kâsesi or ses çanağı. It is mostly made of bell metal, an alloy of copper and tin.

The rim has to be free to vibrate while the bowl is played. That is why it sits on a small cushion, or on an open palm with the fingers not wrapped around it. Although the name points to Tibet, where the bowls sold today are made varies; if you are curious, ask the seller.

How do you play a singing bowl by striking it?

• Place the bowl on its cushion or on your open palm; keep your fingers off the rim.
• Hold the mallet by its handle with a loose wrist, not like a pen.
• With the padded part of the mallet, tap the outside of the rim lightly, near the top.
• Lift the mallet away at once and let the sound fade by itself.
• To stop the sound, bring your fingers or palm gently to the rim.

Start with a light strike and do not hit the bowl hard. One light touch is enough for most bowls.

How do you play it by running the mallet around the rim?

• Steady the bowl on your palm or on its cushion.
• Rest the mallet against the outside of the rim, almost upright against it.
• Using your arm more than your wrist, move the mallet around the rim at a slow, even speed.
• Keep the pressure constant. The sound comes up gradually after a few turns.
• If the bowl starts to rattle, slow down and press a little more firmly.

It is normal to get no sound on the first tries. Tapping the bowl once and then moving into the circling motion can make it easier.

How do size and material change the sound?

As a general rule, large and heavy bowls sound lower and small bowls sound higher. Wall thickness, the shape of the rim and how even the bowl is also affect the tone. Two bowls of the same diameter may not sound alike, so you judge by the sound and not by the measurements.

• Hand hammered bowls have an uneven surface and often a layered sound.
• Cast or lathe turned bowls have a smooth surface and can give a purer, clearer tone.
• A felt or leather covered mallet gives a softer sound, bare wood a sharper one.
• A crystal bowl is a separate instrument; it is made of quartz and rings differently from a metal bowl.

What determines the price of a singing bowl?

• Size and weight: the price shifts with the amount of metal used.
• How it was made: hammered by hand, cast or shaped by machine.
• Surface work: engraving, etching and decoration.
• The quality of the sound: how long it rings and how readily it sings when played.
• Age: bowls said to be old or antique are priced separately. You can ask the seller what that statement is based on.
• What comes with it: mallet, cushion and carrying bag.

What should you look for when buying one?

• If you can, hold the bowl and play it yourself; try both striking and circling.
• Listen to how long the sound lasts and how it sounds to you.
• Check the rim for cracks and the body for dents.
• Choose a weight you can hold; this matters if you plan to play it on your palm.
• Ask whether the mallet suits the size of the bowl.
• If you are buying online, ask for a sound recording of that very bowl and for the return terms.

This post does not assess the healing or frequency stories told about bowls; here the bowl is treated as a musical instrument. When choosing one it is enough to ask yourself whether you like its sound.

How do you care for a singing bowl?

• Wipe it with a dry, soft cloth after use.
• Before using any cleaning product, check what the seller or maker recommends.
• Store the bowl on its cushion or wrapped in fabric; if you nest bowls, put cloth between them.
• Avoid dropping it or setting it straight down on a hard floor.
• Replace the mallet when its covering wears out.

Where do Tibetan bowls come into Merve Tüfekçi’s sessions?

In Merve Tüfekçi’s one to one crystal bowl session, Tibetan bowls are played in turn together with crystal bowls and smaller instruments. You lie down, you are covered with a blanket and you listen to the sound; the session moves according to how you are that day. The session is not intended as treatment, and the experience differs from person to person.

The session takes place at Şifa Köyü in Şile; as the instruments can be carried, another venue can be discussed too. It can be held in Turkish or in English. You can write to us for a date and our team will get back to you.

To sum up, there are two basic techniques for a Tibetan singing bowl and both are learned with a light hand. When choosing a bowl, trust your own ear more than the measurements, and for care a dry cloth and a soft surface are enough.

This post is for general information only; it is not medical or legal advice.

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