How to Play Tibetan Bells & Tingshas

Tibetan bells can be played in three ways –

• Ring them, like a hand bell
• Strike them like a gong
• Play them like a singing bowl, but rubbing a wooden stick around the rim

Experiment with all three methods to explore the variations in tone.  Ringing and striking give a crisper note, while playing the bell build up a strong sound wave.

Tingshas are played by holding the leather cord in both hands

then passing the cymbals by each other so that they strike together and ring.  To vary and sustain the note, you can hold the cymbals close to the top, with the bases facing each other close enough that the vibration from one is felt in the other, and rotate them around.