How to Choose a Bowl

Purchasing a crystal singing bowl (or 7!) can be a daunting exercise for those who don’t know where to start! There are so many pitches and sizes to choose from and usually you have to buy online so you don’t have the opportunity to play them first. This can be very overwhelming for someone who is new to sound healing or playing an instrument. Thanks to my music background and 10 years of experience using these beautiful instruments I am now specialise in assisting people with choosing a bowl or a set of bowls that suit their needs, future goals, preferences in pitch/harmonies and budget. Steps to choosing your bowl the perfect bowl/s for you! Step 1: Read the guidelines in the lessons below. These are the questions I ask people to help them choose their bowls. Step 2: Fill out the Form at the end of this course.  I will then get back to you with any answers to questions and a quote. Step 3: If you feel you need more assistance, just send me an email: nicole@soundbirth.com.au   “I just recently ordered my first crystal singing bowl, through Nicole and was blown away with the process! She was a wealth of knowledge and helped tremendously in my decision-making process to match me to this beautiful instrument. On top of that, the speed of delivery to my front door really made it an effortless experience. Highly recommend and will definitely be back to order more!” Walt

Let me know your reason behind wanting to purchase a bowl or 7! Think of your future goals with sound too so we can plan ahead! Do you intend to use your bowl/s for yourself at home or for others? Do you want to facilitate sound healing journeys one day for individuals and/or groups? How many minutes would your sessions be? Longer than 20? Are you a yoga teacher and just want to use a bowl at the end of your class? Are you a birth doula and want to use it to support your women during childbirth? Are you a massage therapist or healer and want to add sound to the work you are already doing with people? Any other reasons please let me know!

Do you know which pitch you want? If so, please tell my why you’ve chosen that pitch. Do you prefer the low, middle or high pitches? Are you more interested in the chakra bowls? Please tell me why that is? If you want more than one bowl, do you want them to harmonise in a major (happy) sound or minor (melancholy) sound? Or do you want to be able play with both harmonies? Do you want binaural beats? (Creates a “Wah wah wah" sound which entrains the brain into a slower brain-wave state) Will you be using your voice or encouraging others to use their voice (toning, humming, Ommming or singing) with your bowl? Do you have any other pitched instruments that you want to harmonise with your bowl/s? (flute, didgeridoo, hand pan) Have a think and let me know in the Form!  

The bowls are measured in size by the diameter and range from 6 inch to 22 inches. The pitch/es you decide on will determine the size of your bowl to a certain degree. But basically, the lower the pitch the larger the bowl and the higher the pitch the smaller the bowl. Here are some other points to consider. Do you intend on transporting your bowls? If so, how much room do you have in your car? The large bowls are quite heavy … how is your strength, your back? What is your budget? The larger bowls are of course more expensive. Give me an idea of the size you are looking for in the form.

How much do you want to spend? Here is an estimate for some of the bowls - includes case and delivery within Australia.  If you purchase more than 1 bowl you will receive a discount.  Either way, I'll send you a quote! 8 inch - $350 10 inch - $420 11 inch - $480 12 inch - $530 14 inch - $650 16 inch - $740 18 inch - $950 20 inch - $1200 Do you want to buy more bowls to add to this one/these in the future? Let’s work out a plan …

Most people just order the classic frosted crystal singing bowls. They are opaque and have a slightly rough surface on the outside. There is the option of having a clear crystal singing bowl which is smooth on the outside and doesn’t create any white noise (slightly scraping sound) sound as you move the striker around the outside. These bowls are a lot more expensive. (I’ve always used the frosted bowls and they work beautifully so don’t feel you need to spend more money to relax people! It’s more about how you play the bowl and harmonise them with other sounds.) Practitioner Bowl (Bowl on a Handle) These clear crystal bowls on a handle are perfect for those wanting to move around with their bowl. You can walk around a group or individual and move it around in circles to create that binaural beat effect. They have a very clear sound and people love them. There is a bit of a knack to playing them however but it won’t take long to learn! Coloured Chakra Bowls If you love colours and chakras you can also choose a variety of coloured bowls! These bowls are NOT gem infused... those are a lot more expensive, and I don't sell them because I am more interested in the sound a bowl makes and the intention held while playing. But there are other places you can buy these of course.  Each colour corresponds to each chakra. Base: Red - 12 inch, C Sacral: Orange - 11 inch, D Solar Plexus: Yellow - 11 inch, E Heart: Green - 10 inch, F Throat: Blue - 10 inch, G Third Eye: Indigo - 8 inch, A Crown: Violet - 6 inch, B Let me know which type of bowl you are more drawn to in the Form!

It’s not just about the bowl! The quality of sound has A LOT to do with the mallet you choose to play it with … There are a few options! And it is a good idea to have a few different mallets up your sleeve to create a contrast in sound. Suede mallets Easy to get a sound but create a bit of a scratchy sound with the frosted bowls. And harder sound when you strike the bowls. Not my favourite…but I sell them if you want them! White rubber ball mallets These are the most popular and are perfect for all sizes and types of bowls. This mallet is included with any bowl you purchase.  Large blue rubber mallets (made in Perth) My ex makes these mallets especially for those who have bowls from 14 inch - 22 inch. Because the diameter is larger there is less chance of accidentally scraping the bowl when you reach around to play the far side of the bowl. Silicone Mallets These mallets are pretty awesome because they create less of a scratchy sound when playing the frosted bowls and there is no chance of accidentally scraping the edge as there is no wooden handle! Easy to create a sound too from the very beginning.  Soft Mallets You also need a soft mallet that makes a lovely sound when you tap/chime it on the bowl.  All of the other strikers make quite a harsh sound in comparison. The best mallets are made by Paul Ford in Perth so contact Gongwalkabout to order one!

Yes all bowls are available in 432 Hz if this is what you are drawn to! It has been claimed that the 432Hz frequencies heightens perception, reduces anxiety, blood pressure and unlocks intuition. You will need to look more into this and decide on what you believe and what's more important to you. If you want 432 Hz your bowls just remember that they won't be in tune with "normal" 440Hz tuned instruments such as piano or native American flute, or a hand pan/ tongue drum that is 440Hz.  So, it's important to decide from the beginning if you will be collecting all instruments for your set that are 432Hz or 440Hz so they harmonise well. 

One Bowl If you want one bowl to start with I always recommend the 14 inch, pitch A, frosted crystal singing bowl for these 3 reasons: It is an easy pitch to vocalise with (A below middle C on the piano - A3) It's not too high-pitched - most people prefer a lower pitch compared to high. It's not too big - the larger bowls are heavier and more expensive It is the middle sized, middle pitched bowl!  It's JUST RIGHT! Small Set If you want to start facilitating sound journeys, I recommend you start with 4 bowls. Here are the sizes and pitches I have recommended the most in the past. 16 inch, pitch F 14 inch, pitch A 14 inch, pitch G# 12 inch, pitch C These pitches cover the "major/happy" sound, the "minor/melancholy" sound and the "wah wah wah, binaural beat" sound. Lots to play with! I can always come up with a different combination to suit your budget and preferences.  Just contact me.  Chakra Set Many people have asked me about the chakra set.  Here is my opinion! Yes, I sell it. No, I don't think it's necessary to have 7 bowls for each chakra in order to create a "healing" experience for others.  I feel that the chakra set bowls are too high-pitched (12 inch C3 - 6 inch B3) which aren't as relaxing as the lower-pitched bowls (below 12 inch, pitch C3). I believe that the healing aspect of "sound healing" doesn't rely heavily on the pitches. Rather, it's the manner in which the instruments are played—including transitions, musical elements, and harmonies—and the player's intention and awareness that truly matter. I believe that if you are into chakras, it is more beneficial to use your voice and tone the corresponding vowels sounds.  You can learn more about these sounds if you download Jonathon Goldman's free 7 chakra tune up HERE! You can also just have one bowl and just focus on each chakra's colour and area in the body.  No need for seven bowls. But I understand if you want seven too because they look pretty together! But I feel that the main reason why people go for the chakra set is because they don't know what else to choose ... which is why I'm here!  Custom-Made Set If you want a custom-made set of bowls, contact me!

Please fill out this form while considering the questions provided in this course. It will assist me in helping you determine which bowls are most suitable for you.