Palm Size Singing Bowls - What a 3 to 6 Inch Bowl Is Good For
Yes, a small singing bowl is good for the right job. A palm size bowl of 3 to 6 inches gives a clear, bright sound and is easy to hold and carry, but it does not give the deep, long sound of a large bowl.
Key takeaways
- Palm size means about 3 to 6 inches across the rim.
- Good for: short pauses, travel, a desk, an altar and gifts.
- Not the best for: deep sound, bedtime or work on the body.
- Hold it on a flat, open palm so the wall is free to ring.
How small is a palm size bowl?
A palm size bowl is about 3 to 6 inches across the rim. It rests on one open hand.
Our singing bowl size guide covers every size, from palm size to the large standing bowls.
What is a small bowl good for?
- A start and end signal: one clear ring to open and close a meditation.
- A desk pause: it takes little room, as in our two minute desk reset.
- Travel: it is light and fits in a bag with its cushion.
- An altar or shelf: it sits well in a small space.
- A gift: it is easy to send and easy to keep. See the singing bowl gift guide.
- The high notes in a set: in many sets the smaller bowls carry the higher notes.
Where is a larger bowl better?
| What you want | Palm size, 3 to 6 inch | Larger bowl |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | Usually higher and brighter | Usually deeper |
| How long it rings | Usually shorter | Usually longer |
| Rubbing the rim | Takes more practice | Easier to keep steady |
| Bedtime routine | Works, but bright | 8 to 12 inch is our suggestion |
| Carrying and storing | Very easy | Needs its own place |
| Cost | Costs less | Costs more |
These are general rules, not promises. Every hand-hammered bowl is different, and its note is discovered, not made.
Looking for a small bowl?
See our hand-hammered singing bowls, from palm size upward. A mallet and cushion come with every bowl.
How do you hold and play a palm size bowl?
- Open your palm and keep your fingers straight.
- Rest the bowl on the centre of the palm, or leave it on its cushion.
- Strike gently on the outside wall, just below the rim.
- Let it fade before you strike again.
To rub the rim, use a thin wooden mallet with light, even pressure. Our page on how to play a singing bowl shows both ways.
Which small bowl should you look at?
| If you want | Look at |
|---|---|
| The smallest we offer | Smallest singing bowl |
| A plain palm size bowl | Palm size singing bowl |
| A 4 inch bronze bowl | 4 inch bronze Tibetan singing bowl |
| A full moon bowl in palm size | Palm size full moon singing bowl |
| A carved palm bowl | Palm size mantra carved singing bowl |
| A first bowl or a gift | Hand-cast singing bowls |
| Your own size, finish and engraving | Custom singing bowl |
What are the common mistakes?
- Gripping the bowl: fingers on the wall stop the sound.
- Striking hard: a small bowl needs a light tap.
- Using a heavy mallet: a large padded mallet is too much for a small rim.
- Expecting a deep sound: buying small and hoping for the sound of a 10 inch bowl.
- Skipping the cushion: a small bowl on a hard table slides and rattles.
What should you do next?
- Choosing a first bowl: read how to choose your first singing bowl.
- Check the note: use the free live singing bowl tuner.
- Learn to play: take the free singing bowl healing course.
Frequently asked questions
Is a small singing bowl any good?
Yes. A small bowl gives a clear, bright sound and is easy to hold, carry and store. It does not give the deep, long sound of a large bowl.
What is a palm size singing bowl?
It is a bowl of about 3 to 6 inches across the rim that rests on an open palm. It is the smallest size range of singing bowl.
What is a small singing bowl used for?
It is used to start and end a meditation, for a short pause at a desk, for travel, on an altar and as a gift. In a set, the smaller bowls often carry the higher notes.
Does a small singing bowl sound different from a large one?
Usually, yes. A smaller bowl usually sounds higher and brighter and fades sooner, while a larger bowl usually sounds deeper and rings longer.
Can you make a small singing bowl sing by rubbing the rim?
Yes, but it takes more practice than on a larger bowl. Start by striking it, and use a thin wooden mallet with light, even pressure when you rub the rim.
How do you hold a palm size singing bowl?
Rest it on a flat, open palm with your fingers straight. Do not grip it, because fingers that touch the wall stop the sound.
Is a small bowl good for a beginner?
It is easy to hold and store, so it works as a first bowl. Many beginners still find a 5 to 7 inch bowl easier to play, because it has a wider rim and a longer sound.
Want a small bowl made your way?
Choose the size and finish, and add free engraving. Sunita chooses your bowl after the order arrives.
