Crystal Singing Bowl

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A quartz crystal singing bowl is a percussion instrument invented in the 1980s, directly inspired by Tibetan bowls traditionally made from a seven-metal alloy for centuries. Mainly used for sound therapy and meditation, a crystal singing bowl is tuned to a precise note associated with one of the body’s seven major chakras, helping bring a wide range of benefits to its user.

Singing bowl in G

G Singing Bowl

229 €
Singing bowl in F

F Singing Bowl

229 €
Singing bowl 30 cm

Singing Bowl 30 cm

299 €
Singing bowl 25 cm

Crystal Singing Bowl 25 cm

259 €
Tibetan singing bowl booklet

Tibetan Singing Bowl Booklet

6 €

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What is a crystal singing bowl?

A seated woman striking several crystal singing bowls with a mallet

The crystal singing bowl is a percussion instrument, usually shaped like an upside-down bell or even a simple drinking glass. Most are white and opaque (often called frosted crystal), but they can also be coloured or translucent, in which case they’re often referred to as clear crystal bowls.

Officially, the crystal singing bowl was invented in Europe by the Saint-Gobain company in the 1980s. However, its shape and the way it’s played are very similar to the Tibetan bowl, which, as its name suggests, comes from Asia, more specifically the Himalayan mountain range. Because of this strong influence, the origins of the crystal singing bowl can be attributed to Asia as well as to Europe.

Using a striker or a mallet, usually covered with a synthetic material, the player strikes or rubs the outer wall of the singing bowl. The crystal then vibrates, resonates, and produces rich tones that vary depending on the bowl’s diameter and weight. That’s why professionals who use crystal singing bowls in their practice generally own several models in different sizes.

Typically, the percussionist doesn’t play the singing bowl directly on the floor. The instrument rests either in the musician’s open hand or on an O-Ring, a ring-shaped plastic cushion that helps the vibrations resonate freely.

What sounds does a crystal bowl produce?

It depends on the size of the singing bowl. The smaller the instrument, the higher the sounds it produces. Likewise, the larger the singing bowl, the lower the sounds it generates.

Watch this video to get a sense of the kinds of sounds this instrument can produce.

Crystal singing bowl video miniature

When purchasing a crystal singing bowl, there are several criteria to consider, including diameter. The smaller the diameter, the lighter the instrument will be. Conversely, a large singing bowl will be heavier, but it can produce longer, deeper vibrations that some energy-work practitioners appreciate for grounding.

The tone also depends on the bowl’s diameter: smaller bowls produce higher-pitched sounds, while larger bowls tend to sound lower. Between 20 and 25 cm, a singing bowl is considered medium-sized, which usually offers a balanced sound. With a smaller or larger model, you’ll naturally lean towards higher or lower tones.

And, of course, size also affects price: a larger singing bowl will generally cost more than a smaller one.

Quartz crystal (rock crystal) singing bowls are carefully tuned to produce a specific musical note when played. In Hindu tradition, the seven musical notes are each associated with one of the seven major chakras of the human body. Depending on what you’re looking to focus on, it can be helpful to choose a specific note.

The notes available for singing bowls generally follow the C major diatonic scale: C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. To avoid “landing” between two chakras, it’s best not to choose a bowl tuned to a sharp or flat note.

  • C - Root Chakra (Muladhara): associated with security, survival, self-confidence, and connection to the earth.
  • D - Sacral Chakra (Swahisthana): linked to creativity, relationships, and sexuality.
  • E - Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura): related to personal power, organisation, and managing emotions.
  • F - Heart Chakra (Anahata): related to compassion, friendship, empathy, and love.
  • G - Throat Chakra (Vishuddha): for communication and expression.
  • A - Third Eye Chakra (Ajna): associated with intuition and self-understanding.
  • B - Crown Chakra (Sahasrara): related to spirituality and wisdom.

Finally, keep in mind that the note produced by a Tibetan singing bowl can’t be changed afterwards. So, if you want to focus on a different chakra later, the only option is to choose another instrument. That’s why the Instruments du Monde store offers sets of 7 singing bowls that cover all the major chakras.

In most cases, musical instruments are tuned to 440 Hz. Singing bowls are an exception, as some people believe other tunings may have a positive effect on the player and listeners. That’s why some makers offer singing bowls tuned to 432 and 528 Hz in addition to the standard 440 Hz.

Regarding frequencies:

  • 440 Hz is the modern standard and is generally the most familiar. If you plan to play with other musicians, this is the best choice because an instrument tuned to 440 Hz and another tuned to 432 Hz won’t match.
  • 432 Hz is often described as being in harmony with nature, and many people find it more relaxing and calming.
  • 528 Hz is sometimes associated with DNA repair and is considered by some to be a “healing” frequency. Some music therapy practitioners use it in their professional work.

That said, it’s important to note that there’s currently no scientific evidence to support the claimed benefits of these frequencies, so their effectiveness can’t be guaranteed.

According to popular belief, and supported by several recent scientific studies, crystal singing bowls offer a range of benefits. These may include reduced stress, lower blood pressure, and less anxiety. More specifically, studies have observed decreased cortisol levels, a hormone closely linked to stress, after using this type of sound instrument. Researchers have also noted improved mood among users and better sleep quality when the bowl is played for a few minutes before bedtime. Finally, this percussion instrument may help relieve certain symptoms of serious illnesses such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s, which has led more and more doctors to recommend it as a complement to conventional medical treatment. One study also looked at using this instrument in the context of addiction, without providing any firm, definitive conclusions about potential benefits.

On a less pragmatic level, some energy-work practitioners believe this instrument has other virtues, such as cleansing spaces, purifying lithotherapy stones (crystals and minerals used in wellness practices), or supporting the immune system. Others use it during reiki sessions or to balance the body’s major chakras. That said, none of these effects have been scientifically proven.

In any case, a singing bowl cannot replace proper medical treatment. It’s only meant to be used alongside it, as a way to support everyday well-being.

Singing bowls, while generally safe, can come with certain contraindications and side effects, mainly related to their sound, vibrations, and manufacturing materials.

  • Sound volume: Striking a singing bowl too hard can create an excessively loud sound that may damage your hearing. It’s best to play with a reasonable, controlled strike.
  • Materials: Quartz crystal singing bowls are typically safe, unless you have an allergy to this material, which is made of more than 99% silica.
  • Vibrations: There’s no danger in simply listening to a singing bowl’s vibrations as long as the volume stays comfortable. However, some people use them for sound massages, meaning one or more bowls are placed on a person’s body and then made to vibrate. In that case, you should make sure the bowls’ weight is appropriate for the recipient’s body type and that the vibrations aren’t too intense, as this may not be suitable for people with back pain.
  • Pregnancy: As a precaution, pregnant women should avoid placing a singing bowl directly on their belly. Although no formal contraindications have been established in medicine, the potential effects on the foetus aren’t well understood.
  • Epilepsy: In rare cases, singing bowls may trigger epileptic seizures, so they’re not recommended for people with epilepsy.

Overall, the vast majority of people interested in using a singing bowl can do so without any issues.

There are two main techniques for playing, or “making sing,” a singing bowl.

The first is to use a mallet to strike the outer rim of this percussion instrument with a clean, direct hit, a bit like a drum. This creates vibrations, and the bowl acts as a resonator. The strength of the vibration depends mostly on how hard you strike the bowl.

The second method, which is more complex but, in our opinion, more interesting, involves rubbing the singing bowl, much like a Taoist bowl. First, using a mallet, strike the outer wall of the bowl—this is the initial impulse. Right afterwards, rub the bowl with the mallet, following the outer rim. There’s no need to move quickly, but you do need consistent pressure and proper mallet positioning. With this technique, the bowl vibrates differently and produces tones that aren’t the same as with the first method.