Greetings all,
I am sharing this to showcase my progressive journey into the meditative music niche. It was in 2003 when I learned how to play a singing bowl and about a year later I discovered the hand pan instrument at a drum circle event in Las Vegas.
Both of these instruments are very different in how they are played except for the frequency aspects and the gentleness required to get that sensual sound. The singing bowls are a group of crystal bowls that are different frequencies and sizes. They are played like a xylophone some what in a scale fashion. They are also hit with a mallet to induce a vibration tone but, when you use a rubberized mallet to caress the top rim of the bowl, circling around it. This action causes the bowl to reverberate and basically ring like a droning-bell until you stop the rubbing, allowing the vibrations to settle naturally.
As each singing bowl is tuned to a harmonic frequency, when played in special sequences, the sound that is created is able to calibrate with the harmonic energies within our bodies. If you have ever had the joy of experiencing this type of sound, you know that the tones from each bowl is connecting with an organ in your body and the vibrations make you feel a certain way depending on your own individual health and mindset.
The idea with these instruments is to create a calm, pleasant space for the mind to relax giving the body time to rest and potentially heal naturally from the nurturing vibrations of the sounds the crystal bowls create. However, you are only hearing the hand pan in this audio. I will be doing a recording tomorrow with the singing bowls to share with you.
As for the hand pan, it is a Kurd D minor with 9-notes. The ding on top is like a drone but, it is also the D4. This instrument is a variant of the Rasta steel drums for Jamaica. It was enclosed and made to be easy to carry and play without a stand. You place it upon your lap to play it with your bare hands and it can be placed on a stand if you desire. It is hit with a finger to tap the notes in a way that causes the metal to ring and vibrate. There are three harmonics for each note and all of the notes make up the D-minor scale.
I have loved the sound of this instrument from the moment I heard it. The hand pan is one of the most versatile instruments to play with the ability to vary loudness and finesse tones. I look forward to sharing more about the hand pan with you in the near future. Check out my post about the ZoundVath Ceremony event coming December 15th, 2024 and Officially starting on New Year’s day 2025 as a recurring weekly sound bath session in Music City!
Much love for listening to my original rough recording. I used a condenser mic in my office studio and I was grateful that the air conditioning unit was fairly quiet.
Thank you!
SupHerbly Alive,
apØstLanita
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