Sound has a deep effect on our mind, body, and spirit. Handmade Singing bowls and gongs are two powerful instruments used in sound healing. They create vibrations that help relax the mind, reduce stress, and restore balance. Although both instruments produce healing sounds, they have different effects on the body. Let’s explore how they work and how they differ.

What Are Singing Bowls?

Singing bowls are metal or crystal instruments that produce soothing sounds when played with a mallet. They have been used for centuries in Tibetan and Himalayan traditions for meditation, relaxation, and healing. When struck or rubbed with a mallet, singing bowls create vibrations that promote deep relaxation, balance energy, and enhance mindfulness. Each bowl produces a unique frequency that resonates with different Chakras , helping to clear blockages and restore harmony. Singing bowls are commonly used in sound therapy, yoga, and spiritual practices to reduce stress and improve overall well-being.

Healing Frequencies of Singing Bowls

Each singing bowl creates a specific tone, which connects to different chakras (energy centers in the body). The vibrations help to:

• Calm the mind – Reduces anxiety and promotes deep relaxation.
• Balance energy – Helps align the chakras and remove energy blockages.
• Improve focus – Aids in meditation and mindfulness practices.

What Are Gongs?

Gongs are large metal discs that create deep, resonant sounds when struck. Used for centuries in various cultures for ceremonies, meditation, and healing, gongs produce a wide range of frequencies that evolve over time. Unlike singing bowls, which create a steady tone, gongs offer complex sounds that help release tension, clear energy, and promote relaxation. They are commonly used in sound therapy, spiritual practices, and yoga to enhance meditation and healing.

Healing Frequencies of Gongs

Gongs generate deep and complex sounds that help:

• Release tension – The strong vibrations help release physical and emotional blockages.
• Clear the mind – Encourages deep relaxation and mental clarity.
• Reset energy – The sound waves move through the body, creating a full-body healing experience.

Differences in Sound Frequencies

Singing bowls tones produce sound frequencies ranging from 100 Hz to 1,200 Hz, with variations depending on their size, shape, material, and thickness. Larger bowls create deep, resonant tones, while smaller bowls generate higher, more delicate sounds. These frequencies are closely linked to the body's energy centers, or chakras, helping to restore balance, promote healing, and encourage relaxation.

The vibrations from singing bowls have a calming effect, reducing stress and fostering a sense of peace and tranquility. Below is a breakdown of the frequency ranges based on bowl size:

Small Bowls (10–15 cm / 4–6 inches)

• Frequency: 600 Hz – 1,200 Hz
• Associated with the higher chakras (Third Eye, Crown), supporting spiritual awareness and intuition.

Medium Bowls (16–25 cm / 6–10 inches)

• Frequency: 300 Hz – 700 Hz
• Ideal for meditation and relaxation, balancing the mind and emotions.

Large Bowls (26–40+ cm / 10–16+ inches)

• Frequency: 100 Hz – 400 Hz
• Produces deep, grounding vibrations connected to the Root and Sacral chakras, enhancing stability and emotional well-being.

See how different sized singing bowls create unique sounds and vibrations that promote relaxation and healing. Play the video from Himalayas Shop to listen.

Why Do Singing Bowls Produce Multiple Frequencies at Once?

Singing bowls don’t produce just one frequency—they generate multiple harmonic overtones simultaneously. If you’re seeing a frequency like 2,700 Hz on a frequency analyzer, it’s likely picking up a higher overtone rather than the bowl’s fundamental frequency. That is why singing bowl can show fluctuating frequency when struck by a mallet. 

Here’s how it works:

• Fundamental Frequency: This is the deepest, primary tone that we mainly hear and feel when the bowl vibrates. This is achieved mostly by hitting with a softer side of the mallet. 
  
  
• Overtones/Harmonics: These are higher-pitched frequencies that resonate alongside the fundamental, creating the bowl’s rich, layered sound. This is mostly achieved if you hit with a wooden striker gently.

What Influences These Frequencies?

• Larger bowls tend to emphasize deeper, lower frequencies with more grounding vibrations.
• Smaller or thinner bowls produce stronger, high-frequency overtones, often associated with the upper chakras.
• Frequency analyzers detect all the peaks in the sound spectrum, sometimes highlighting the overtones more prominently than the fundamental tone.

This interplay of frequencies is what gives singing bowls their unique ability to promote deep relaxation, meditation, and energy healing.

Gongs produce a rich range of deep and complex frequencies, typically between 30 Hz and 500 Hz. These low frequencies create powerful vibrations that resonate deeply within the body, harmonizing both the physical and energetic systems. Unlike other sound instruments, gongs generate a wide spectrum of shifting sound waves, moving seamlessly from low to high frequencies, creating an immersive and profound healing experience.

The deep vibrations of a gong are highly effective in:
✔ Clearing stagnant energy
✔ Releasing emotional blockages
✔ Promoting deep relaxation and healing
✔ Supporting spiritual growth

As the gong’s sound expands, it breaks up energetic blockages, allowing the body to restore balance and fostering a deep sense of peace and transformation.

Gong Frequency Ranges

Fundamental Frequencies (Deep Bass Tones)

These are the low, grounding vibrations that form the foundation of the gong’s sound:

Large Gongs (32+ inches) → 30 Hz – 100 Hz

• Deep, resonant tones that promote grounding and profound relaxation.

Medium Gongs (20–32 inches) → 100 Hz – 300 Hz

• Balanced frequencies, ideal for meditation and emotional harmony.

Small Gongs (Below 20 inches) → 300 Hz – 600 Hz

• Brighter, more uplifting tones that clear energetic blockages.

Overtones & Harmonics (Higher Frequencies)

• Overtones can range from 1,000 Hz to 10,000+ Hz, depending on the gong type.
• As you strike or rub the gong, higher-pitched harmonics emerge, creating a shimmering, ethereal effect that enhances deep meditative states.

Key Differences Between Singing Bowls and Gongs

Which One Should You Choose?

• If you need gentle relaxation and chakra balancing, singing bowls are a great choice.
• If you seek deep energy clearing and transformation, gongs are more powerful.
• You can also combine both for a full-body healing experience.

FAQs

1. Can I use both singing bowls and gongs together?
Yes, combining both can enhance the healing experience by balancing gentle relaxation with deep energy clearing.

2. How do I choose between a singing bowl and a gong?
If you want soft, calming sounds for meditation, go for a singing bowl. If you need deep vibrations for energy clearing, choose a gong.

3. Are singing bowls and gongs suitable for beginners?
Yes, both are beginner-friendly. Start with a small singing bowl or a hand-held gong to practice.

4. How often should I use singing bowls or gongs for healing?
You can use them daily or as needed for relaxation and energy balancing.

5. Do different materials affect the sound of singing bowls and gongs?
Yes, metal singing bowls produce both deeper tones as well as powerful vibration, while crystal ones softer tone only. Different gong materials also influence their sound quality.

Conclusion:

Both singing bowls and gongs offer unique healing frequencies that can improve well-being. Whether you prefer the soft, calming tones of singing bowls or the deep, transformative vibrations of gongs, sound healing can help you feel more balanced and at peace. Try both and see which works best for you!