Large Tibetan Singing Bowl

A large Tibetan singing bowl is particularly well suited to group sessions and large rooms, where you need deeper tones and greater projection. Its volume fills the space, and several people can gather around it, which is why it is used in yoga studios, meditation centres, and workshop rooms.

It is also used during sound massage, as the lowest-pitched bowls are used for the lower body. Large pelvic singing bowls are placed around the pelvis or legs, while others are positioned near the feet. This is a relaxing experience that in no way replaces medical treatment. However, a very heavy bowl should be played next to the body rather than placed on it. Finally, you can use it for relaxation or to make water vibrate inside it, which is more difficult with a small bowl.

You can place your feet inside very large singing bowls. When the bowl is set into vibration, the vibrations travel through your feet and legs and then into the rest of your body. You can stand inside it or sit beside it with both feet in the bowl. Your shoe size determines the size you need: an adult generally requires a bowl measuring about 40 cm (16 in) and weighing 7 kg (15 lb 6.9 oz), with a larger bowl needed for larger feet, while a smaller bowl is sufficient for a child. Your feet should also rest flat on the bottom without your heels or toes touching the sides. Otherwise, the sound will not last nearly as long. Extra-large mallets with relatively soft heads are available for striking the bowl while you are standing inside it.

As a precaution, Instruments du Monde recommends that you never step into a bowl unless it is secured on a ring or stable support and that you always have someone there to help you keep your balance. Sitting beside the bowl allows you to feel the vibrations just as strongly with no risk of falling. This practice applies to bowls of this size in general, and we do not guarantee that every one of our models is suitable for it.

A large Tibetan singing bowl is played with a large, heavy mallet with a soft, thick head. The mallet should be chosen according to the size of the instrument: handled felt mallets are designed for large and very large bowls, bringing out their low tones with a soft, muted sound, whereas they would be too thick for a small bowl.

As for other materials, here’s what you need to know:

• A bare wooden mallet is ideal for bringing out the high tones of a small bowl, so it is less suitable for striking a large one.
• Leather brings out the low tones, while the wooden side brings out the midrange and high tones.
• Felt is excellent for striking, but it is often too soft to make the bowl sing by rubbing its rim.

If you want to make your instrument sing, keep in mind that a mallet that is too light will slide along the side without setting it into vibration. You should also use your entire arm rather than your wrist as you move the mallet around the bowl.

A large Tibetan singing bowl should be placed on a thick cushion, which will allow it to vibrate better than a hard surface. You can also hold it in your hand as long as the instrument is not too heavy: a 36 cm (14.17 in) bowl weighing 4.7 kg (10 lb 5.8 oz) can still be held in your palm if you are strong enough, but it is more comfortable to set it down before playing.

Avoid placing it directly on wood or tiles: it would lose much of its sustain and could slip when struck. Conversely, a surface that is too soft and deep will muffle the sound. You can also use a felt or rubber ring to prevent your bowl from slipping. Very large bowls require a flat, firm surface, such as a rug or a suitably sized cushion, as well as a permanent location so that you do not have to keep moving them.

A large Tibetan singing bowl measuring 24 to 30 cm (9.5 to 12 in) in diameter weighs approximately 1 to 3 kg (2 lb 3.3 oz to 6 lb 9.8 oz), while a 50 cm (20 in) bowl weighs around 10 kg (22 lb). Between those sizes, a bowl measuring about 36 cm (14.17 in) weighs nearly 5 kg (11 lb), while one measuring about 40 cm (16 in) weighs 6 to 8 kg (13 lb 3.6 oz to 17 lb 10.2 oz). These are estimates rather than the exact weights of our models, which vary from bowl to bowl. For bowls of the same diameter, the difference comes from the thickness of the wall: two 26 cm (10.25 in) bowls may weigh 1.5 kg (3 lb 4.9 oz) and nearly 2 kg (4 lb 6.5 oz), respectively. A quartz crystal bowl is generally heavier than a metal bowl of the same diameter because it is thicker.

The weight of the bowl matters if you need to travel with your instruments: regularly carrying several 30 cm (12 in) bowls can quickly become a burden. It will also determine how you display your instrument. Finally, we recommend handling very large bowls with care.

The weight of the metal largely explains the price of a large Tibetan singing bowl. The larger the diameter, the heavier the bowl and the more alloy it contains, which increases its price, especially since some workshops sell their bowls by weight. Hammering a large bowl can take up to 30 hours and require several artisans, with as many as six blacksmiths working on a single piece for the largest sizes. Labour is the largest cost involved in producing a hand-hammered bowl. This is why the price does not increase in direct proportion to the diameter: a 30 cm (12 in) bowl does not simply cost twice as much as a 15 cm (6 in) bowl. Time-consuming hand engraving and transport from workshops in the Himalayas also add to the cost.

In any case, weight and diameter are the two measurements you need to know before buying a large bowl.

A large Tibetan singing bowl is suitable for beginners, especially if you start by striking it. Large bowls are suitable for almost everyone, regardless of experience. A single bowl is all you need to get started at home.

However, bowls larger than 20 cm (8 in) can be more difficult to handle, and very large bowls require more effort to make them sing by rubbing the rim because both the diameter and the mallet are large. Nevertheless, you will succeed with a suitable mallet and slow movements.

If you are unsure, a bowl measuring about 20 cm (8 in) makes a good first bowl. Bigger does not mean better. Size primarily changes the pitch, and the right sound is a matter of personal preference, so you can start with a large bowl if you enjoy low tones.