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Frequently Asked Questions about Singing Bowls

Q: What are the benefits of Himalayan (Tibetan) singing bowls?

A: The most observed benefits of using singing bowls are:

  • relieving stress and anxiety

  • relieving emotional and physical pain.

  • promoting deep relaxation.

  • normalizing blood pressure.

  • sleep improvement.

  • enhancing focus, mental clarity, creativity and productivity.

  • strengthening the ability of non judgmental observations.

  • increasing mood and energy levels.

  • strengthening the connection with an inner source of peace and wholeness.

  • improving connection with the environment.

  • promoting stillness and meditative state of mind.

  • helps to slow down the world around.

  • Listening to a singing bowl makes you want to help your friends and environment.

 

Q: Are there any side effects appearing while or after playing a singing bowl?

A: No side effects as long as you play the singing bowl gently. 

 

Q: Why choose Bells Of Bliss as a source for singing bowls?

A: Just not that long ago I was buying singing bowls for my personal collection from other websites. These internet stores are still active and I am proud of competing with them today by providing the highest sonic aesthetics along with the best service. We reach the unreachable to offer you the rapidly vanishing authentic masterpieces for the cost-competitive prices. Just listen carefully to our instruments and you will know what the high quality authentic singing bowl sounds like. Bells Of Bliss cares about each harmony seeker and makes sure that you leave with the instrument you deeply resonate with and all your questions answered. Please visit our super informative know-how blog and do not miss our Singing Bowls Free Course. 

 

Q: What are the main criteria you follow when pricing singing bowl?

A: Finding an authentic antique singing bowl with good sound properties isn't an easy task at all. Even scrap metal dealers in India and Nepal, understand the value of these instruments. There is real hunting after antique sound bowls. Some collectors and investors simply preserve the good quality items and dictate the prices. The sales politics are "Take it or leave it". 

After the earthquake in Kathmandu in 2015, many bowls were destroyed and the ones that survived were raised in price. Some time ago, the dealers were selling antique singing bowls by weight. You would pay a certain price per kilogram. Price negotiation would be considered only if you buy more than 20-25 kilogram. Today, you can still find those deals, but for the junk singing bowls only. Sadly, many sound practitioners are not aware of it and are being ridiculously ripped off.

Most of the dealers are able to recognize a decent quality singing bowl and tend to price it individually. The price is given to each bowl depending on how rare the style of the bowl is, what is the size, the weight, the visual appearance and lastly but most importantly - sonic characteristics. Some of the criteria for sonic evaluation of singing bowls are: overall sustainability of the timbre, focus and balance of each sound partial, rate of pulsations, ratios between the sound partials (the closer to the consonant interval, the better), strength of the acoustical energy (how prominent and loud each sound partial is). 

 

Q: How to choose the right singing bowl

A: Some people may purchase a singing bowl just because they like the sound and that's all, but if you are looking for the instrument for special practice, then you should determine first what you are willing to do with the bowl. Most of our singing bowls for sell are good for personal and group meditation practice and healing work, but not all the bowls are ideal for massaging, reflexology or space cleansing.

The question of which bowl to choose requires minimal knowledge of the subject. We do our best to put in the catalog's descriptions all possible information about the most beneficial way to use any bowl we sell.

If you still feel lost or overwhelmed when looking through the pages of our catalog, please don't hesitate to contact us. We will ask you a few questions that will help us to understand your needs and we will give you the options. If you know what you need or simply fall in love with a specific instrument and are satisfied with the numbers that indicate the price, just go for it. 

 

Q: What is the difference between antique and contemporary (modern) singing bowls?

A: The alloys used today are quite different from those used traditionally. Centuries ago singing bowls were made out of bronze with traces of other metals that the main two ingredients, copper and tin (approx 80/20) were contaminated with. Today singing bowls are mainly made of brass, which is a combination of copper and zinc. When you look at certain antique singing bowls, you can see the level of mastery and care they were hammered with. Some antique bowls have such a smooth wall, it's hard to believe that they were hammered at all. 

Usually, the old singing bowl will sound softer and sweeter than a new one. The energy it emits has a soul, versus the metallic (although pleasant) sound of the newer ones. It varies from one instrument to another and this opinion is certainly not applicable to each singing bowl. Generally speaking, when you get familiar with the acoustic features and go beyond the concept of sonic vibrations, you start to realize the subtle energy that sound is carrying. Most likely you will prefer to work with the antique bowl then. In terms of investment, antique bowls are growing in value because of the age and the fact that these instruments are vanishing from the market. If contemporary singing bowls are growing in value, it could happen because of raising the price of copper or the salesman's myths.

 

Q: How do you measure the frequency of a singing bowl and determine its note?

A: We use the most reliable digital analyzer to measure the frequencies of each singing bowl. Once we find the frequencies, we check which note is close to the Hz we found. Please note, that each sound partial of a metal-made singing bowl is defined not by one, but by two frequencies. We provide these frequencies in the description of every singing bowl. 

Q: Where are you bringing your singing bowls from?

A: Bells of Bliss works exclusively with the most reliable suppliers of singing bowls in India and Nepal, collectors that understand what the highest quality sounds like. We choose bowls from a selection that has already been narrowed down by these knowledgeable collectors. The one and only criteria that we deliberately follow is the quality of the sound. To learn more about how we choose singing bowls, please click here.

 

Q: How do you tell the age of the singing bowls you offer for sale?

A: The age approximation is made based on the style of the singing bowl, it's sound, visual analysis of the alloy and the most reliable factor - the way the instrument has been worn out. Having said that, we have also learned to tell rather the artificial methods of aging were applied to the bowl. Some distributors are very creative making their contemporary singing bowls look old. 

 

Q: I want to sell my antique singing bowl. Could you please recommend a place I can sell it? 

A:  If you are willing to sell your bowl or your collection, please contact us. You will be asked to attach measurements, pictures and a decent quality sound recording of your bowl/s.

Q: I have a singing bowl that I got from a different source. Could you match the best sound bowl to sing along with it?

A: For your convenience, we offer the option of expanding your collection by matching a right bowl/s for you. If you have a bowl that you got from another source and want to add a perfect companion to it, just contact us and explain your wish. Please attach two decent quality sound samples of striking the bowl and playing the rim (smartphone recording is good enough) for us to have a reference of the sound characteristics of your bowl. We will not charge an extra fee for this service.

Q: Could you help me to assemble a set of singing bowls?

A:  If you plan to work with singing bowls to harmonize yourself and other people, you’ll need a HARMONIOUS set of instruments. We will match the best set for you starting with two or more bowls. We can find a perfect family of tones choosing the bowls from the catalog or from our out of catalog stock. No additional fee will be charged to assemble the best customized singing bowls set..

 

Q: How the singing bowls you sale are made?

A: All of the singing bowls we offer for sale are hand hammered (antique and contemporary). We keep the quality bar high and do not recognize machine made singing bowls.

 

Q: Is there a difference between the Sound bowls, Himalayan singing bowls and Tibetan singing bowls?

A: Metal made singing bowls are known as Tibetan singing bowls. However, since this legendary vessel is being found in many arias of the Himalayas, the correct name for it is "Himalayan singing bowl". 

 

Q: What are the singing bowls made of?

A: Despite the mysticism of salesman stories that singing bowls are made of seven sacred metals, you can't ignore the facts! Antique Himalayan singing bowls (80 years an older) are made of bronze (about 80% of copper and 20% of tin) naturally contaminated with very small traces of various metals found in the soil. There is no gold, silver, led or mercury found in the alloy!

Most of the contemporary Himalayan singing bowls are made of brass (about 80% of copper and 20% of zinc). In very rare cases the manufacturers of modern singing bowls use bronze. 

 

Q: What is the difference between the Himalayan singing bowl and crystal singing bowl?

A: Despite the common words (singing bowl) in these two titles, Himalayan and crystal bowls are very different in the way they made, the way they look and the way they sound. Please read  this article to learn more about crystal singing bowls. 

 

Q: Is there a correlation between the musical notes and chakras? What is the note for Heart chakra? 

A: This is one of the most frequently asked questions. We'd love to unveil the truth for you and therefore are inviting you to read the article about the chakras and the musical notes.

 

Q: How to play the singing bowl?

A: For your convenience, we offer a free singing bowls training. Taking this program will help you to learn to play your singing bowl properly. It may also answer the questions that you may not even are aware of at this moment. Please do not underestimate our efforts to put this class for you. Yes, it’s FREE! No, you DON’T have to buy a bowl from our store! No strings attached, we just care about you taking an extra step towards the harmony. 

 

Q: Do you have a physical singing bowls store?

A: No, we don't.

 

Q: Do you ship worldwide?

A:  Yes we do offer worldwide shipping.

 

Q: How long does it take you to ship the order?

A:  Your item will be shipped within three business days. If your order contains multiple items, it may be shipped in multiple boxes.

Domestic orders (USA) above $1000 are eligible for free shipping. All other shipping costs are being calculated upon the address information completion.

International orders shipping cost is variable and it depends on the region of shipping. The cost will be shown on the shipping page upon the address information completion.  

 

Q: What is your return policy?

A:  Bells of Bliss offers a 14 day return policy. You will be reimbursed for the full price of the product. The shipping cost is non-refundable.  

Please note:

If you send the bowl/s back after 14 days, but within 30 days, a fee of 25% of the item's price will be charged. A fee of 25% will be also charged on items with stickers removed.

There is no product exchange. The customer is taking responsibility on the shipping charges of the returning products.

Please note: we don't accept returns of customized sets or damaged bowls.

 

Q: Where do you ship your sound bowls from?

A: We ship our instruments from Massachusetts USA.

 

Q: How can I become a sound healer?

A: We are honored to offer you the most comprehensive course in the field of sound wellness. This program is designed to expand both of your brain hemispheres and your heart. Please visit the page "Sound Academy" to learn more.