Sounddive: Practical Course - The Art of Playing Crystal Bowls and Gongs

🌀 Sounddive practical course: the art of playing crystal bowls and gongs

One full day - theory and hands-on practice.

The course is designed for those who want to learn sound facilitation at a professional level: based on the physics of sound, precise technique, and ergonomics, without mysticism or unnecessary theory.

The day consists of two consecutive blocks. You can sign up for both together or for just one instrument - crystal bowls or gongs.

BLOCK I: Crystal Bowls (12:00-15:00)

Focus: precision, resonance, and composition.

Basics of sound production: bowl placement options, mallet types (rubber, silicone, suede), and how their density affects timbre

Playing methods: strike, rub, and combined technique; the most common mistakes and how to correct them

Frequency control: understanding fundamental tones and overtone resonance, harmonic intervals with multiple bowls (third, fifth, octave)

Dynamic control: gradual buildup of vibration from silence to a saturated sound

Composition: how to structure a session so it holds the listener's attention from start to finish

BLOCK II: Gongs (16:00-19:30)

Focus: acoustics, technique, and physics.

Theoretical basis:

Types of gongs and their acoustic properties

Mallet selection: density and weight depending on the desired frequency range

Practical part:

Fundamental principles of sound production and variations in striking technique

Intensity and dynamic control: from a barely audible sound to a powerful wall of sound

Creating sequence and dramaturgy in a gong session

🕰 Schedule for the day

12:00 - Arrival, introductions, materials distributed

12:30-13:00 - Theory: crystal bowls

13:00-15:00 - Practice: crystal bowls

15:00-16:00 - Break

16:00-17:00 - Theory: sound and gongs

17:00-19:30 - Practice: gongs

19:30-20:00 - Certificate presentation

Who the course is for

Beginners starting from scratch and practitioners who want to organize and deepen their existing knowledge. No prior musical education is required.

• 📍Practical information

Venue: VYBRA studio, Old Riga, Jauniela 15. Enter through the building's central doors, between the entrances to the "Cuba Cafe" premises. Press the intercom bell at the door.

Participation fee: listed under ticket types.

Certificate: all participants receive a certificate of participation.

Instruments: all instruments are in the studio, so you do not need to bring your own. Crystal bowls can be purchased on installment.

The group is small so everyone has enough time with the instruments. A spot is reserved after advance payment.