Mallet, cushion, stand: how to choose the accessories for a bowl

Why accessories matter

A good bowl that is poorly supported will not sound good. An unsuitable mallet, a hard surface or a bowl set down at an angle will spoil the sound and can even damage the rim. This guide presents the basic accessories and helps you choose. It is part of the guide to sounds and bowls.

The mallet

The mallet is the stick you use to strike or rub the bowl. Its material changes both the sound and the wear on the bowl:

For crystal bowls, rubber or silicone mallets are preferred, as they spare the rim. For metal bowls, a suede-wrapped mallet is a good compromise. A larger mallet brings out the low notes; a thinner one favours the high notes. Specialist sources note that “chatter” (irregular vibration) increases with a harder mallet, light contact and fast rotation: for a steady sound, press firmly and move the mallet at a moderate, constant speed.

The cushion and the stand

• Ring cushion: a padded ring on which the bowl rests. It stops the bowl from sliding and rubbing the table, and it lets the base vibrate freely. It is the essential accessory.
• Flat cushion: a small square cushion; handy for small bowls and for travel.
• Wooden or metal stand: a tripod or ring that raises the bowl; valued for larger bowls.
• In the hand: a small bowl can be held on an open palm, fingers well apart so as not to smother the sound. Plan for the grip: a metal bowl quickly weighs several hundred grams.

A bowl that is meant to vibrate should touch the surface as little as possible: a bowl set flat on a table sounds muffled, because the table absorbs the vibrations.

Other useful accessories

• Cover or bag: essential for protecting a crystal bowl; recommended for a metal bowl when travelling.
• Soft microfibre cloth: for wiping the rim after use.
• Small fabric pouch: for tingshas (see tingshas and cymbals).
• Rigid case: for transporting a crystal bowl.

Sizes and pairings: one bowl, one mallet, one cushion

Match the accessories to the size of the bowl:

• Bowl of 8 to 10 cm: thin mallet of 12 to 15 cm, small cushion or the palm of the hand.
• Bowl of 11 to 14 cm: mallet of 15 to 20 cm, ring cushion.
• Bowl over 15 cm: longer, thicker mallet and a stable stand.

These figures are indicative. A bowl sold with its mallet and cushion is generally well matched; check this in the product description. For exercises, see five exercises with a singing bowl.

Caring for your accessories

• Suede mallet: brush it gently; avoid water, which hardens the suede.
• Cushion: air it and wipe it with a cloth; some can be hand-washed, others cannot (check the label).
• Store the mallet flat, away from damp and dust.
• Replace a mallet whose covering is worn: a bare mallet can scratch the bowl.

Common mistakes with a bowl

• Holding the bowl too tightly: clenched fingers smother the sound. Rest the bowl on an open palm or on a cushion.
• Rubbing too fast: the bowl “chatters” or whistles. Slow down and press a little harder.
• Striking too hard: a sharp blow produces an unpleasant metallic noise; a light strike on the rim gives a round sound.
• Playing a cold or wet bowl: let it return to room temperature and wipe it.
• Forgetting the silence: let the sound die away completely before producing another.

How to choose

For a first metal bowl: a suede-wrapped mallet, a ring cushion and a bag. For a crystal bowl: a rubber mallet, a support ring and a padded cover. If you travel with your instruments, think of protection first. Find our accessories and bowls in the singing bowls and tingshas section.

Frequently asked questions

Also read

The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice. Back to Guide to sounds and bowls.