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Singing Bowls are standing bells that originated in Asia as early as 560 BC. When their ring is gently stroked with a mallet, it vibrates, producing sounds which invoke a deep state of relaxation, naturally assisting one in entering into meditation. You can tangibly feel the vibrations in the air from it. These extraordinary bowls are frequently used in meditation, deep relaxation, stress reduction, yoga, music therapy, sound healing, performances and for personal enjoyment.
Singing bowls originated in Tibet, and have traveled across
the Himalayas, through valleys, and along ancient trade routes. As their
popularity spread throughout Asia, they slowly made their way into the Western
countries. There aren’t many historic writings about singing bowls, as most
were destroyed by the communist Chinese military. This is one of the reason
singings bowls have remained mysterious and fascinating. They are thought to go
back in the Himalayas as far as the 10th-12th century AD.
Today, singing bowls are kept in many monastries, and are
usually used to start and end meditation sessions.
Usage
Singing bowls are played by striking their rims with a
padded mallet. The mallet makes the rim vibrate, which produces a continuous relaxing
sound. The sound varies according to the material of the bowl, the mallet and
the size of the bowl too. One can actually change the pitch of the sound by
changing the angle of the striker along with the speed and pressure variation.
You can also put some water in it before playing it. The
vibrations of the bowl will make it ripple and jump. The water also gives a
deeper sound.
A mallet is a piece of long cylindrical, mostly wodden,
piece used to play singing bowls. Mallets come in all kinds of shapes, sizes
and weights. Most mallets have their one end padded with a softer material,
usually leather, felt, yarn, etc. The mallets can be used for striking the bowl
as well as stroking the rim of the bowl.
Most singing bowls also come with a cushion or a ring. The
singing bowl is mounted on them, so that the bowl does not sit directly on a
flat surface and the sound isn't deadened by whatever surface it sits on. The
cushions and rings are made of soft materials, which allows the bowl to vibrate
better, producing better and longer sounds. The cushions also provide
additional protection from hard surfaces and keeps the bowl in place. They also
help set an ambiance to the surrounding, as it is much more pleasing to the
eyes and ears when the bowl rests on a rich fabric item.
Singing bowls are beautiful instruments, and one would
naturally commit to keeping it that way. Many things can happen when you
continuosly use them, that may degrade their looks, quality and sound. It is
very important to take good care of your singing bowl.
Dust and dirt can build up quickly in your bowl. Use a soft
cloth to wipe it after every use. You can also use white vinegar to remove
fingerprints. Do not put any liquid in it, and even if you do, don’t leave it
overtime. You may put water in it so see it’s effects, but be sure to remove it
after use, and wipe it dry. It’s best to keep your bowl dry.
From a superstitious perspective, it is advisable to keep
your singing bowls upright. When not in use, singing bowls can also be used as
a decorative center of attraction. Keep it upright and mount it on a cushion or
ring to prevent it from getting scratched. When storing multiple bowls, it’s
best to use cardboard boxes and cloth bags to protect the finish of the bowls.
If you have to stack them, make sure to not get them stuck.
While ancient singing bowls were made exclusively using hand
and tools, nowadays, we can find machine made singing bowls too. However, hand
made singing bowls are also available, as they tend to be considered more
authentic. While hand-made bowls are a bit inconsistent in their circumference,
they do seem to be much lighter and produce deeper and longer sounds. Machine
made bowls are much more smoother, so they look better as a decorative piece.
Hand made singing bowls are made using traditional tools by
hand. They tend to be considered more authentic, lighter and produce deeper and
longer sounds.
Machine made Singing Bowls are made using modern machinery.
They usually look better and are smoother than hand made singing bowls. They
also look better as a decorative piece.
Choosing a singing bowl is a matter of listening to the
sound. There is no hard and fast rule to choose the “best” singing bowl, you do
it by listening to the sound of each bowl, and choose the one you prefer. It is
highly recommended to close your eyes and focus solely on your auditory senses.
Don’t just hear the sound, feel it. Then you can easily choose the one that
suits you best.