The Power of Sound
Sound is the force of creation, the true whole.
Music then, becomes the voice of the great cosmic oneness and therefor the optimal way to reach this final state of healing.
Singing Bowls / Crystal Bowls
The bowls are generally made from an alloy of various metals which include copper, silver, iron, tin, lead or gold, and are one of the most ancient instruments used for Sound Healing and used in the Buddhist tradition for religious and spiritual purposes. Crystal Bowls are typically made of 99.9 percent crushed crystal quartz that is heated up under high temperatures and formed into different bowl shapes and they first came into being as healing tools more recently, in 1990. Each of them has a very unique and indistinct sound, resonant to a certain frequency, which describes its specific healing purpose and qualities.
Most commonly gathered as Chakra Healing Sets, formed with 7 bowls of which, every single one vibrates in the frequency range of a single chakra, from the lower to the upper, helping to clean and restore its energy flow. Some specific bowls are designed to work directly on the body and so, by placing and playing it on a certain position, can help release tension, contractions and other muscle distress.
Singing Bowls as well as Crystal Bowls, are commonly played by striking or rimming with the use of a special mallet. The two techniques are different in the modality as well as in the sound results, while the first enhances the attack and decay made by the impact of the strike and the second works specifically on the resonance and overtone of the bowl according to the power of the spin applied on it.
Gong
As part of the percussion family, they differentiate in the sound and frequency range they're producing, with either a definite or an indefinite musical pitch and a wide spectrum of overtones. Gongs are constructed of hammered metal, mostly made out of bronze or brass, but with an amalgam of other metals. Their deep and textured sound promotes deep relaxation by releasing tension in the body and stimulates the glandular and nervous system.
Another process that takes place is entrainment – the synchronisation of our fluctuating brainwaves with the stable frequency of the gong, which our brains acclimate to and unify with. This can also help create overall harmony within our bodies. The sound of a gong helps the brain reach deep relaxation – specifically the delta and theta brain wave states, which are the slowest brain waves in humans.
Gong baths are highly rejuvenating for the body and bring about an overall sense of relaxation, which can reduce stress as well as help develop a better ability to cope with stress, help move emotional blockages from trauma, and even stimulate altered states of consciousness. They may also encourage greater overall stillness and contentment.
*Our Sound & Medicine Temple is equipped with a custom made set of 5 Symphonic from Grotta Sonora!
Shruti Box
The origins of the Shruti Box can be traced back to the chinese Sheng, an ancient wind instrument still in use today, which makes asound when air passes through small bamboo reeds. These free-reeds were later to influence a new family of western instruments, including the harmonica, accordion and the indian harmonium.
Originating from the indian subcontinent, that traditionally works on a system of bellows. By winding the instrument, air passes through the harmonic chain, creating a specific drone sound tuned in a specific note. While singing through the sound emanated by the instrument, the voice can be shaped and modulated in different harmonics, using breathing and overtone singing techniques.
It is also used as to accompany other instruments, such as flutes and drums, as well as in classical singing to help tuning the voice.
Harmonium
Harmonium is an instrument invented in Europe during the 19th century and is a particularly popular instrument in Indian/spiritual music. The harmonium’s sound is powered by pressurized air passing through a series of reeds. The wooden box-like instrument has a keyboard along its topside to manoeuvre the reeds while air is breathed through the bellows, resembling those of an accordion.
Harmonium is traditionally used to accompany the chants of Mantra, it’s vibration underlines the sound and harmony of the mantra. “The word Mantra means man (thought or heart) + tra (tool) so Mantra is a tool to calm the mind and help us access our spiritual heart.” - Manorama -
Kora & Kamele Ngoni
The Kora and Ngoni are West African harps with 21 strings on the first, and 6–12 or 14 strings on the second, and a large calabash gourd body. The Kora instrument originated in the late 18th century, during the era of the Gabu empire, while Ngoni came a little bit later, in the early 19th. The traditional Kora was made by hand with materials from the West African savanna: a calabash gourd cut in half for the resonator; rosewood for the neck, handles, and bridge; and cow or antelope leather for the sound table, tuning rings, and strings. Today, many elements of the traditional Kora have changed, such as the mechanical parts (like guitar machine-heads) and strings, which were traditionally made from thin strips of finely twisted antelope hide, are now made from nylon fishing lines, which is more durable under different weather conditions. There are only a few differences between the two instruments, mainly in the size, tuning, and sound, as the Kora has a bigger neck with more strings and can reach higher frequencies and notes than the more deep-ended Ngoni.
Ngombi
This Harp originated in Central Africa, Gabon, is one of the most sacred objects used by members of the Bwiti, a 20th-century religious organisation that combines local ritual practices with Western Christianity. The Harp symbolises the body and voice of the Nyingwan Mbege, or Sister of God, and communicates between the Earth and Sky.
The classic version is made of cottonwood with hollow boat-shaped body, covered on top with skin fastened wooden pins, with a rising curved arm, holding eight tuning-pegs and gut strings.
The modern version is more advanced in design and sound, because of the beautiful looking Copaiba wood and its unique resonance, which is enhanced by the brilliant sound of classic guitar nylon strings.
This special Harp is handmade in Pisac by our dear friend OmBalam and available for sale on request. Get in touch for more info!
Native American Flute
As with a lot of other indigenous music across North America, flutes were used for celebrations, spiritual purposes, community gatherings or powwows and for simple entertainment. Accompanied by drums and other percussion instruments, flutes became the default melodic instrument of most tribes.
Native American flutes comprise a wide range of designs, sizes, and variations - far more varied than most other classes of woodwind instruments. The Native American flute has been reported to be the third oldest known musical instrument in the world, with bone flutes dating back over 60,000 years.
The modern Native American flute first appeared in photos in southern Utah in the 1850s among the Ute tribe. Modern flutes are manufactured from wood, bamboo, river cane or even plastic, and have different names from Native American to Double Flute, Grandfather Flute to Indian Flute and so on, and are vastly implemented in Sound Healing.
Fujara
The native slovak flute is a long 3-holed fipple played in standing position, with the flute held close to the body. It is played using the natural harmonics system, which means the different tones are played by controlling the strength of in-blown air. Using only three holes, the diatonic major scale can be reached playing two and a half octaves.
The Fujara has a unique, unforgettable sound with very rich sounding multiphonics, grain and timbre, which reaches deep down into the heart of player and listener. Its origin lays in the middle of Slovakia, and it is assumed that its roots lay in the 12th and 13th century in Europe due to the 3-holed flutes played by the tambourines. It was played by the shepherds on their long journeys away from home. It is said, when played for the sheep it would calm them down and ease the herd.
Chakapa
Chakapa (sometimes spelled shakapa or latinized to shacapa) is a Quechua word for a shaker or rattle constructed of bundled leaves. Bushes of the genus Pariana provide the leaves for the Chakapa.
Curanderos (healers) and other shamans in the peruvian amazon use the Chakapa in healing ceremonies.
In an Ayahuasca ceremony, for example, a curandero shakes the Chakapa around the person while singing an icaro (healing song). The sound of the Chakapa is said to comfort patients in an Ayahuasca ceremony and "cleans" their surrounding energy.
Harmonica
The harmonica, also known as a French harp or mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used worldwide in many musical genres, notably in blues, American folk music and classical music.
A Harmonica is played by using the mouth (lips and tongue) to direct air into or out of one (or more) holes along the mouthpiece. Behind each hole is a chamber containing at least one reed.
The Shamans of many different traditions in the Amazon, particularly Colombian and Peruvian, use this instrument in ceremony to connect with the energy of the wind, call benevolent spirits to guide the healing work and create an harmonic energy in the room.
Shamanic Drum
Shamanic Drums have been an essential component of tribal traditions all over the world, deeply rooted in their spiritual practice, which has been passed down from many generations. The drums were mainly used as a vehicle to communicate with ancestors and spirits guides, by beating it with a mallet, they invoked the Great Spirit.
Another important element of these tradition was the use of tree wood and animals skin, which for them carried an unique energy that contributed to the significance of its use.
The classic way of making a Shamanic Drum is by stretching the animal hide (buffalo, moose, horse or goat were the most commonly used) over a wooden frame. Then followed the lacing of the head to the frame in a symbolic pattern that represents the four directions of the Earth.
HandPan
The mistycal instrument was invented about a decade ago by Swiss artists Felix Rohner and Sabina Schemer, who were steelpan makers, and they came up with a new instrument, which they christened the "Hang," meaning "hand" in Bernese German.
This instrument is often described as having a unique woody sound with hearable overtones. The Hang is considered to be one of the most advanced and unique acoustic musical instruments invented in the 21st century, as well as one of the greatest gifts to the musical (especially percussion) community.
The evolution of the handpan by the various crafters around the world has also led to more notes on the top shells and even adding notes to the bottom shells as well. Other materials have been experimented with and used. Low-voiced bass handpans have even been produced, consisting of only a few very low-pitched notes on one handpan.
Didgeridoo
The didgeridoo is the oldest wind instrument in the world.Some argue that the didgeridoo has been in use for over 40,000 years, but the oldest verifiable records of Aborigines playing the instrument puts the date closer to 2000 years ago.
Authentic Aboriginal didgeridoos are produced in traditionally-oriented communities in northern Australia and are usually made from hardwoods, especially the various eucalyptus species that are native to the region. Sometimes a local bamboo or pandanus is used instead.
For Aboriginal groups of northern Australia, the didgeridoo is an integral part of ceremonial life, as it accompanies singers and dancers in religious rituals. It was also used as a means of communication across far distances.
Beside it´s cultural use, it has enormous health benefits as the breathing technique needed to play the didgeridoo helps strengthen lung capacity and is proven to have reduced the effects of sleep apnea and asthma, promoting relax and reducing general stress in the body and mind.
