Himalayan Singing Bowls: Common Playing Techniques and Their Benefits
For the listener, there is nothing more soothing and cleansing than lying back and taking in the waves of the Himalayan Singing Bowls.
If this is you, read no more and just enjoy them sing!
But for those of you who are interested in practising, or would like a deeper understanding of the ways in which these wonderful instruments can be played, I would love to share with you the common techniques and what they can bring to a practise.
The sound we hear comes from the bowls being struck or rubbed with a wooden mallet wrapped in suede or leather. This creates softer contact, smooth friction and warmer tones.
Tip: For all techniques, allow the sound to fully fade before touching the bowl. A sudden stop in the flow of the waves can feel jarring.
Placement
The bowl, or multiple bowls, should be placed on a steady surface that is not slippery, such as a cushion or rubber pad.
A singular bowl can also be placed steadily on your palm.
Tip: Keep fingers open and away from the bowl if you are using your palm. Do not grip too tightly. Leave space around the bowl for the sound to expand.
For more intermediate practitioners using traditional vibrational Himalayan 7-metal bowls, these can also be placed on the body on the:
- Sacral chakra — lower abdomen, below the navel
- Solar Plexus chakra — upper abdomen, stomach area
Please note: do not try to place the bowls on other parts of the body, as the feeling could be intense.
The placement on the body can take much practise, as you are dealing with a living surface. Please take care and use mats to stabilise the bowl. There should be no skin contact.
The closer vibrational bowls are placed to the body, the bigger the vibration.
I will be telling you about traditional Himalayan 1-1 Sound Healing and the Chakras in another article.
Striking
Gently tap the side of the bowl with the mallet.
The tone will sound bell-like.
Tip: Don’t strike too hard. We want the tone to be soft rather than church bell-like.
Benefits
- Often used at the beginning or end of meditation
- Can reset wandering attention in the listener
- Helps to create an immediate sense of focus and presence
- Grounds the listener
Circling
Place the mallet upright against the bowl’s outer rim. Apply light, even pressure. Move slowly in a smooth circular motion.
The sound will not come immediately, but keep going and adjust your rhythm gradually until the bowl begins to sing.
The tone will sound soft, euphoric and haunting. You can keep the singing going for as long as you wish.
Tip: Be patient and keep practising this one. For some, it does not always come immediately.
Benefits for the Practitioner
- Develops patience, coordination and steady breathing
- Develops concentration and focus
- Builds rhythmic awareness and body control
Benefits for the Listener
- Evokes a deep sense of peacefulness and calm
Pressure and Speed
Experiment with lighter or firmer contact. Increase or slow the circling speed gradually.
Listen closely to how the bowl responds.
Tip: Fine-tune movements to maintain resonance without scraping.
Benefits for the Practitioner
- Builds sensitivity and responsiveness
- Teaches subtle motor control
- Encourages deeper listening and feedback awareness
- Helps players understand the balance between effort and ease
Multi-Bowl Harmonic Playing
Several bowls of different pitches are played together.
Tip: Practise using two hands separately and then simultaneously to add to your practise.
Benefits
- Creates layered harmonic fields
- Used in meditation groups and sound baths
- Can produce rhythmic entrainment effects through binaural frequencies
- Allows the practitioner to be creative in their composing
Listening
Fully receiving the sound is a technique in itself. You can still do this even if you are the one playing.
Strike or sing the bowl, then sit quietly until the sound completely fades away. Notice shifts in pitch, vibration and rhythm.
Tip: Always bring your attention back to the sound.
Benefits
- Strengthens mindful listening
- Anchors awareness to the present
- Reduces mental clutter
- Supports a sense of calm
A Note for Practitioners
Being a practitioner is a wonderful gift.
Please remember that sometimes the rhythm and mood of a session can affect you as much as it does your listeners.
Be aware of yourself, your energy levels, and make sure that you take time to rest and reset.