How to Identify an Authentic Antique Tibetan Singing Bowl

How to Identify an Authentic Antique Singing Bowl

By Isis James

Identifying and Choosing Genuine Antique Singing Bowls

There are a countless variety of singing bowls available on the market today - some being produced in recent times, while others are hundreds of years old. Antique singing bowls are valued for their quality, sound, and historical value. When looking to purchase a bowl, having adequate knowledge of how to identify a genuine antique will greatly aid you in your search to find something of value and true authenticity.

Appearance

Antique bowls generally tend to be simple and plain in appearance, with very little in the way of intricate designs or carvings. They may have abstract decorations like lines or circles on their surface, outside the rim, or inside the bottom of the bowl, but anything more complicated than that is likely a new bowl. Do not be fooled by bowls that look hard or rough on the outside - most likely, these are newly produced bowls that have been made to look old to fool the uninformed consumer. True antiques also tend to be an average size of 10-12 inches, and rarely any larger.

Material

Traditionally, antique bowls were made of 5-7 metals, including precious metals such as gold, silver, or iron. Many of these antiques do not have a perfect mix of metal alloys, making it common to see streaks or spots of one particular metal (like copper or silver) standing out more on the surface. Due to the cost of including precious metals in the production of singing bowls, modern ones tend to be made of only one metal, usually brass or bronze.

Sound

The sound quality of antiques can never be matched, because as the age of a singing bowl increases, the quality of the sound increases as well. Fine classic antiques have a very rich, warm and mellow sound to them, with strong resonant harmonic overtones. If a bowl sounds tinny, flat, or disharmonious, it is more than likely not an antique.

Identifying true antique singing bowls is not always an easy process, but with these simple guidelines to keep in mind, your search will become a bit easier.

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How To Select A Striker For Your Tibetan Singing Bowl or Meditation Gong

How To Select A Striker For Your Tibetan Singing Bowl or Meditation Gong

By Isis James

Choosing a Striker for Meditation Gongs and Singing Bowls

Singing bowls and meditation gongs are capable of producing beautiful sounds when played properly. However, just having the gong or bowl alone is not all it takes to make music. The striker, also known as the mallet, is an essential tool to playing your meditation gong, and it is important to select the right one to play with, especially if your singing bowl does not come with one in a set or if you are not satisfied with the one you currently have. Here are a few simple tips on how to go about the process of selecting a striker.

The easiest way to begin selecting a striker is to go to a store that sells singing bowls in person. Here you will find a good selection to choose from. Strikers come in different sizes, as well as different materials. Some are just plain wood, while others are wrapped in leather or suede. Gather a variety of strikers to test, and pick one singing bowl to test it out on. You will want to use each striker to play your bowl as you normally would.

Size

You will know you have found the perfect striker when you feel one that fits in your hand without being awkward or uncomfortable. if you plan on playing your bowl for extended periods of time, finding a comfortable fit is especially important, since you don't want your hands to get cramped or tired in the middle of playing. In general, if you have smaller hands, look for a striker that has a thinner grip. For bigger hands, a striker with a thicker grip may be more comfortable. The size of the striker does not affect the sound of your instrument in any way, so feel free to keep your comfort solely in mind.

Material

The other variable involved in picking a striker is the material - leather or padded vs wooden. In general, leather strikers will produce a lower tone from your singing bowl than wooden strikers. Also note that you cannot use a padded or covered striker to play your singing bowl with the around-the-rim technique, so if this is the way you plan on playing, select a wooden striker. If you only plan on simply striking your meditation gong, go for a padded striker.

If you cannot make it to a store in person, be sure to keep these tips in mind when selecting a striker online.

Follow these instructions and you will be sure to find a striker for your meditation gong that will last you forever.

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How To Choose A Quality Tibetan Singing Bowl

How To Choose A Quality Tibetan Singing Bowl

By Isis James

Singing bowls come in a wide variety of ages, styles, shapes, and sounds, making the task of choosing one to buy quite difficult. From modern to antique, big to small, dulcet low tones to sharp high tones, and crystal ones to metal ones, the possibilities are endless. In learning how to choose a singing bowl, two related factors you need to take into account are the sound and size.

Size of Your Bowl

Singing bowls come in a wide variety of sizes, in an approximate range from 8 inches all the way up to as much as 20 inches. Consider whether you plan on traveling with your bowl or not. If so, you may opt for a smaller one in the 8-10 inch range that is easy to lift and carry around. If not, you may enjoy permanently keeping a larger size, such as a 16 inch, in its own special dedicated location. For a good compromise, opt for something in the 11-14 inch range.

Tone of Your Bowl

Keep in mind that in general, the pitch of your singing bowl is inversely related to the size - smaller bowls produce higher pitched tones, while larger bowls produce deeper sounds. Think about what tones resonate with you. Consider your favorite songs or musical instruments. Are you generally attracted to low, more warm and mellow tones or sharper higher-pitched tones?

Lots of online retailers will also provide recordings of how their specific bowls sound to make your search for the perfect one easier for you. A high-quality bowl will have tones that linger for a while and that sound clear, rich and pure. Pay attention to how the sound makes you feel. The ideal bowl will have a sound speaks to you on a deeper level, resonates with you and that you can enjoy listening to on a regular basis.

These two simple factors of sound and size are extremely important, and should be given extra consideration when you are in the process of choosing your singing bowl.

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How To Play Tibetan Singing Bowls - Advanced Techniques

How To Play Tibetan Singing Bowls - Advanced Techniques

By Isis James

Learning the basics of how to play a tibetan singing bowl is a relatively easy process, but this instrument is capable of producing even more varied and interesting sounds with the right technique. The wah-wah technique and the water technique are two methods that will make playing your tibetan singing bowl a more enjoyable and interesting experience.

Wah-Wah Technique

To begin this technique, start by singing the bowl in the basic way - by running the mallet around the rim of the bowl until it produces a steady, even sound. Then, release the mallet from the bowl. At this point, the sound should still be reverberating even after you have removed the mallet. Lift the bowl to mouth level, and mouth the syllables "wah-wah." You do not have to say the sound aloud, as the simple act of just opening and closing your mouth is what modifies the sound of your singing bowl. Experimenting with varying the space between your mouth and the outside rim will change the sound, and you may also notice that if you turn the bowl, there will be spots where the sound is naturally louder than others.

Water Technique

For this technique, you need to put a bit of water in the bowl. The amount of water needed will vary but a good start is about 3/4 inch of water, being careful not to get the rim of the bowl wet. Too much water will interfere with this technique, so be prudent when filling your bowl. After you have added an adequate amount of water, sing the bowl using the basic around-the-rim technique. Once the bowl has starting singing with a clear, even tone, pull the mallet away from the bowl. Then gently begin tilting the bowl and swirling the water. If done correctly, this will produce a sound that sounds something like dolphins singing.

These two techniques, when done correctly, will produce beautiful and unique music from your tibetan singing bowl that you may have never heard before.

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How Tibetan Singing Bowls Heal the Body and Mind

How Tibetan Singing Bowls Heal the Body and Mind

By Isis James

Tibetan singing bowls have been used traditionally for spiritual and healing purposes since ancient times. These bowls are in use now for stress-relief, meditation, yoga, and other applications. Many wonder exactly how tibetan singing bowls work in healing one's body and mind, but the secret is primarily in the way they sound and the vibrations they emit.

Vibrations

It is believed that everything in existence today vibrates at a certain frequency, including our human bodies and its internal organs, as well as our inner energy systems, like the chakras and our auras. When everything is vibrating at its own optimal, unique frequency, we function in complete health. Disharmonious vibrations, often caused by stress or unhealthy environmental conditions, are said to cause illness and disease. Tibetan singing bowls, which produce pure vibrations, are capable of correcting these imbalances. The pure vibrations of the these bowls resonate with the optimal frequencies of the body and gently correct any blockages and imbalances. This is why it is particularly effective to place them directly on the body - so that the vibrations are in an optimal position to affect any internal imbalances.

Sound

Aside from the vibrational qualities, the bowls also heal in a simpler way. As humans, we are exposed to many unnatural and discordant sounds - the rush of traffic, television chatter and other electronic noise pollution, and countless more random and unpleasant sounds of modern-day living. Tibetan bowls produce sounds that are calming and pleasing to the brain. These tones are pure and naturally harmonious and resonant with each other. The effect of listening to this type of music calms the mind, much like listening to nature sounds would. A calm mind naturally produces a healthier body, making it less susceptible to illness and disease.

Tibetan singing bowls are a unique, powerful, and natural instrument for healing, which is why the tradition of using them has survived for centuries.

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How To Choose Between Between Crystal Singing Bowls and Metal Tibetan Singing Bowls

How To Choose Between Between Crystal Singing Bowls and Metal Singing Bowls

By Isis James

Singing bowls are known for their beautiful sound and their usefulness in meditation, relaxation, spirituality, and healing. However, not all of them are created equal and they come in a wide variety of sounds, sizes, and types. When you are looking to buy a bowl for yourself, the material you choose is one of the first factors to keep in mind. The two main materials used are crystal and metal, and they both have their own unique and special characteristics.

Metal Singing Bowls are the most common and popular form. They have been in use since ancient times in Tibet, Japan, and the Himalayas for spiritual purposes, so there are a large number of antiques available for collectors. They have the unique property of producing multiple harmonic overtones at one time, making their music warm, vibrant and complex. They can vary greatly in appearance - some are a plain bronze, while others have intricate carved patterns and designs. Being metal, they are also quite durable and can stand up to quite a lot of handling, making them perfect for being taken easily anywhere without worry of damage.

Crystal Singing Bowls are a modern invention made of quartz. Unlike their metal counterparts, they are only capable of producing one loud and piercing note per bowl. This makes them perfect for users that prefer one specific tone, whether to target a specific chakra for healing or by simple personal preference. Appearance-wise, crystal bowls are usually either clear or frosted, although some retailers also have colored ones available. These bowls are delicate and fragile, making them perfect for decorative appeal but less suitable to frequent transportation.

When choosing a bowl, let your personal preference as far as portability, sound, decorative appeal and usage guide your choice in buying a bowl.

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How To Play A Tibetan Singing Bowl

How To Play A Tibetan Singing Bowl

By Isis James

Tibetan singing bowls are an excellent tool for meditation, relaxation and healing. When played properly, they produce resonant, harmonious sounds that are quite pleasing to the ear. Learning how to play one requires a few simple steps and takes only a minimal amount of practice to master.

Holding the Singing Bowl: Hold the bowl in the palm of your hand. Make sure that your fingers are flat and not curled around the bowl and that it is at a level comfortable for you. Common positions include near heart level, stomach-level, or resting in your lap if you are sitting down. If the bowl is too large or heavy to hold comfortably in your hand, place it on a hard, flat surface like the floor or a table, making sure to place a soft cloth underneath. There are two main basic techniques to playing singing bowls. They are:

Striking the Bowl: With a padded mallet, simply strike the rim of the bowl. This technique produces a sound that resonates for a while after the initial strike. Make sure to directly hit the rim and not the sides of the bowl, as hitting the sides will create a muddled sound. Increasing the strength of your strike will produce a louder and more powerful tone, but be careful not to hit too hard, as it will produce a dissonant, unpleasant sound.

Singing the Bowl: With your hand relaxed and close to the singing bowl, firmly hold a wooded, unpadded mallet against the rim. With a constant and even pressure, slowly rub the mallet against the rim of the bowl. Keep doing this until the sound of the bowl reaches a strong, full tone. A rattling sound means you are going too fast and may also need to apply more pressure. After the bowl reaches a full tone, you can vary the speed of the mallet to modify the sound - a faster pace will produce a more active tone, while a slower speed will make it less intense.

You can also experiment with how you grip the mallet as well as the angle you hold it to produce different sounds and to find a style of playing that is comfortable for you. Try playing the bowl in different ways until you find the perfect balance of mallet angle, speed, and pressure that produces a sound that lasts indefinitely.

With these simple techniques, playing your singing bowl becomes simple, fun, and relatively easy. Practice playing on a regular basis to produce beautiful, harmonious and relaxing music.

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