By: Bimol Bee
Submitted: 2011-12-19 04:55:20 | Word Count: 625
You have probably heard of singing bowls which are mostly used during meditation, with intention of getting healing, or just as instruments. These singing bowls are usually used in yoga classes, as well as alone at home during relaxation and meditation, or in musical concerts. However, it's not that easy to play this unique musical instrument. It also needs some studying as anything else, and frankly speaking, learning how to play a singing bowls takes much time and certainly practice. After you learn how to play one singing bowl you'll be able to start playing other singing bowls at a time as well.
Where Should A Singing Bowl Be Played?
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In order to start playing a singing bowl it's recommended to find a quiet environment where you'll be alone and be able to relax your body. Many people playing a singing bowl find it very comfortable to sit on the floor on some soft mat or just on a chair. Before starting playing your singing bowl it's advised to close your eyes for a few seconds, to relax your whole body and stop thinking of anything that can bother you.
The Way Of Holding The Singing Bowl
To play a singing bowl place it on the front of your palm. Some people play a singing bowl placing it in their fingers. It's a great mistake as you won't be able to relax completely holding the musical instrument this way.
Striking the Singing Bowl
The singing bowl can be stricken with a singing bowl mallet just before starting to play the bowl. But this gesture is not obligatory at all, it's a matter of taste more. You should strike the singing bowl near the side or the rim of the bowl, so that the singing bowl will resonate due to the sound.
How Is The Singing Bowl Played?
Singing bowls produce sounds, by means of rubbing the striker around the rim or the side of the singing bowl. There're different types of strikers which are produced from different materials and depending on the material different sounds are produced. For instance, wooden singing bowl strikers produce a low tone of the singing bowl, while leather wrapped singing bowl mallets create a lower tone coming out of the singing bowl. The quality of the sound also is determined by the shape of the bowl. in this way, singing bowls can be curved outward, inward, or straight up and down. Every shape produces its unique sound. You can listen to the recordings on many sites in the Internet in order to select the type of the singing bowl as well as the striker you like. You'll also have to consider its size, color, and style.
Before starting playing the singing bowl firmly press the wooden singing bowl striker against the side of the singing bowl. By the way, the striker should constantly contact with the singing bowl. Then move the striker around the outside side of the singing bowl not too quickly and you're expected to hear the singing bowl sing soon. Slowly move the mallet around the bowl with even pressure. In case if you hear that the singing bowl sounds somewhat choppy, move the striker slower and continue moving the striker along the outside rim of the singing bowl.
If the striker loses contact with the rim of the bowl, at that moment the singing may stop. If you want to continue singing start it again and slowly increase the speed. Many bowls gain the full volume in a few seconds, while others may need even more than ten seconds. If you have faced some difficulties while using your singing bowl sing, look for more information in the Internet.
