How to · 3 min · 17 October 2026
How to Play a Singing Bowl: Strike, Circle, Listen
To play a singing bowl, rest it on your flat palm or a cushion, strike it once with the wooden striker, then run the striker around the rim with steady pressure until the bowl begins to sing. It takes a minute to learn and a few evenings to get right.
To play a singing bowl, rest it on your flat palm or a cushion, strike it once with the wooden striker, then run the striker around the rim with steady pressure until the bowl begins to sing. It takes a minute to learn and a few evenings to get right. Here is how, step by step.
Where singing bowls come from
Standing bells shaped like bowls have stood in Buddhist temples across Asia for centuries. In Japan the rin is struck to mark the beginning and end of chanting. The name "Tibetan singing bowl" is younger than most people think: it spread in Europe and America from the 1970s, when bowls from Nepal and northern India came west and people discovered that circling the rim makes them sing. Today bowls are made in many places and many materials, from hammered bronze to painted metal.
What you need
- A singing bowl
- A wooden striker, ideally with one end wrapped in leather or felt
- A cushion or ring for the bowl, or your flat hand
- A quiet room and ten minutes
Holding the bowl
Small bowls sit on the flat palm of your hand. Keep your fingers straight and do not grip the sides, or the sound dies at once. Larger bowls sit on a cushion on the table or on the floor in front of you.
Striking: the first sound
- Hold the striker like a pencil, a little below the middle.
- Strike the outer side of the bowl, just below the rim, with a light, quick tap.
- Let the sound fade completely before you strike again. Listen to the end of it.
A soft striker gives a warm, round tone. The bare wood gives a brighter one.
Circling: making the bowl sing
- Strike once gently to wake the bowl.
- Place the striker against the outer rim, held upright like a pen.
- Circle the rim slowly, with your whole arm, not just the wrist. Keep the pressure even.
- Listen for the hum to build. Once it sings, you can slow down even more.
- To stop, lift the striker away and let the bowl ring out.
If the bowl rattles or buzzes, you are going too fast or pressing unevenly. Slow down and press a little more firmly. Most bowls sing at a slower pace than you expect.
A short evening practice
- Phone away, light one candle.
- Strike the bowl once and follow the sound until it is gone.
- Circle the rim for one or two minutes.
- Sit in the quiet that follows. That quiet is the point.
- Strike once more to close the evening.
Care
- Wipe the bowl with a soft dry cloth after use. Fingerprints dull the surface over time.
- Painted bowls: no water, no polish.
- Keep the bowl on its cushion, so it does not roll or chip.
Frequently asked questions
How do you use a singing bowl for beginners?
Start with striking. Tap the side, listen until the tone is gone, repeat. Circling the rim comes after a few evenings.
Why does my singing bowl rattle?
The striker is moving too fast or bouncing. Slow down, keep it upright and press evenly.
What is the difference between striking and singing?
Striking gives one clear tone that fades. Circling the rim builds a long, rising hum that lasts as long as you play.
Is a singing bowl the same as a bell?
In a way. A singing bowl is a standing bell: it rests on its base instead of hanging.
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