How to Choose a Full Moon Singing Bowl - Size, Form and Note
Choose a full moon singing bowl in three steps: pick the size for how you will use it, pick the form (classic or thick-walled Jhumka), then ask for the note that fits your practice. For most people the answer is a classic full moon bowl of 8 to 10 inches.
Key takeaways
- Size first: your use decides the size, and 8 to 10 inches covers the most uses.
- Form second: classic is lighter for daily practice, Jhumka is thicker with a longer lasting sound.
- Note third: a note is discovered, not made, so a requested note is met by selection.
- One bowl is enough to start, and a set comes later if you want several notes.
What should you decide before you look at any bowl?
Decide what the bowl is for. A bowl for a bedside table, a bowl for a yoga studio and a bowl for a gift are three different bowls.
Once the use is clear, the rest follows in order: size, form, note. You can see every option in our full moon singing bowls.
If this is your first singing bowl of any kind, read what to know before buying a singing bowl as well. This guide covers only the choices inside the full moon range.
Step 1 - Which size of full moon singing bowl do you need?
We list full moon bowls from palm size up to extra large. The table shows what each group is good for.
| Size | How it is played | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 6 inch (palm size) | Held on the open palm | Travel, a desk, a small gift |
| 7 to 10 inch | On the palm or on its cushion | Daily practice at home, a first full moon bowl |
| 11 to 12 inch | On its cushion | A fixed place at home, group sessions |
| Extra large | On the floor or a low table | Studios and practitioners |
A larger bowl usually sounds deeper and weighs more. Think about where the bowl will live and whether you will carry it.
For a bowl that travels, look at the palm size full moon bowl.
Which size fits which practice?
Our four practice needs each have a size range and a note. Use them as a starting point.
| Your need | Size range | Note and chakra |
|---|---|---|
| Meditation | 5 to 12 inch | C note, Root |
| Deep sleep | 8 to 12 inch, struck softly | B note, Crown |
| Calm mind | 6 to 12 inch | F note, Heart |
| Clear mind | 7 to 10 inch | E note, Solar Plexus |
Notice that 8 to 10 inches sits inside all four ranges. That is why it is the safest size when you are not sure.
A bowl supports relaxation and a calm bedtime routine. It does not replace medical care, so see a doctor if sleep or stress is affecting your health.
Step 2 - Classic or Jhumka form?
Full moon bowls come in two forms. The classic is the familiar full moon bowl, and the Jhumka is the antique type with a thicker wall.
- Classic is lighter at the same diameter, which suits daily home practice and gifts.
- Jhumka is heavier, with a longer lasting sound, which suits healers and collectors.
To see the thicker form, look at the 8 inch thick-walled Jhumka full moon bowl.
Not sure where to start?
The 10 inch classic full moon bowl sits inside every practice range. Choose the finish, and Sunita chooses your bowl after the order arrives.
Step 3 - Which note should you ask for?
Ask for the note that matches your practice in the table above. If you have no preference, leave it open and let the bowl be chosen for its sound.
Remember that a hand-hammered bowl's note is discovered, not made. After your order arrives, Sunita plays the bowls in your size and chooses one from her experience in practice.
The link between notes and chakras also depends on the tradition, Tibetan or Vedic. Our course lesson on singing bowl notes and frequencies explains this in plain words.
How do you check the note when the bowl arrives?
Play the bowl into our free live singing bowl tuner. It shows the note and the frequency of the bowl in your hands.
A hand-hammered bowl rarely lands exactly on a piano note. A reading a little above or below the note you asked for is normal.
One full moon bowl or a set?
Start with one bowl if you practise alone. One good bowl is enough for meditation, a bedtime routine or a short daily session.
Choose a set when you want to work with several notes. Sets come in 3, 5, 7, 9 and 12 bowls, and the full moon set of 7 is the one most people ask about.
What else can you choose?
- Finish is selectable on most bowls, so you can match the look to the room.
- Engraving is free, and many buyers add a full moon date for a birth or a wedding.
- Mallet and cushion come with every bowl, so nothing extra is needed to start.
If you want to set every detail yourself, use the custom singing bowl page.
What are the common mistakes when choosing a full moon bowl?
- Buying the biggest bowl first is a mistake if you have nowhere steady to keep it.
- Choosing by photo alone ignores weight, which matters every time you lift the bowl.
- Expecting an exact note forgets that each hand-hammered bowl's note is discovered.
- Fixing one chakra chart as the only one ignores that the mapping changes with the tradition.
- Paying for moonlight: a better sound from full moon bowls is widely reported, not measured, so judge the bowl itself.
What happens after you order?
Your bowl is chosen after the order arrives, not picked from a shelf in advance. It then leaves Kathmandu in 3-4 business days by DHL Express.
Frequently asked questions
Which full moon singing bowl should I buy first?
A classic full moon bowl of 8 to 10 inches is the safest first choice. That size range fits all four of our practice needs: meditation, deep sleep, calm mind and clear mind.
What size full moon singing bowl is best?
It depends on how you will use it. Palm size bowls of 4 to 6 inches suit travel and gifts, 7 to 10 inches suits daily practice, and 11 inches and above suits a studio or a fixed place at home.
Should I choose a classic or a Jhumka full moon singing bowl?
Choose the classic for a lighter bowl for everyday practice. Choose the Jhumka, the thick-walled form, if you are a healer or a collector and want a longer lasting sound.
Can I choose the note of a full moon singing bowl?
You can ask for a note on most bowls, and it is met by selection. A hand-hammered bowl's note is discovered after the bowl is finished, so Sunita chooses a bowl whose note matches your order.
Is a full moon singing bowl better than a regular singing bowl?
A stronger or better sound from full moon bowls is widely reported, not measured. Choose a full moon bowl for the tradition and the meaning, and judge the sound of the bowl itself.
Should I buy one full moon singing bowl or a set?
Start with one bowl if you practise alone. Choose a set if you want to work with several notes or with the chakras, and sets come in 3, 5, 7, 9 and 12 bowls.
What comes with a full moon singing bowl?
A mallet and a cushion come with every bowl, and engraving is free. Orders are dispatched from Kathmandu in 3-4 business days by DHL Express.
Ready to choose your full moon bowl?
Open the full moon range and pick your size, form and finish. Engraving is free, and a mallet and cushion come with every bowl.
