In ancient cultures, music was used for healing and rituals, and certain instruments were specifically crafted for deep contemplation and meditation. In modern life, we can also use these instruments to relax and relieve stress, helping to create inner peace in our everyday lives, which can improve our mood and even extend our lives.
In the article below, you’ll learn about 9 meditation instruments in detail that can help you relax and facilitate your meditation practice.
An instrument becomes suitable for meditation through its pleasant, soothing, or even healing sounds. In many cases, the frequency of the sound also matters.
Some meditation instruments produce a specific tone (vibration) and do not play melodies in the strict sense of music. Such instruments include gongs, singing bowls, and tuning forks.
However, there are incredibly soothing and meditative melody-playing instruments like the handpan or the Native American flute. These are unique in their ability to affect our emotions through their melodies.
Sound therapy has been used for thousands of years by various cultures across the globe. It can serve as an effective complement to traditional Western medicine because it supports the body’s natural self-healing processes.
Some theories suggest that illness and negative emotions (anger, pain, sadness) are states in which our body, like a musical instrument, becomes “out of tune,” turning disharmonious.
However, sound therapy can restore harmony, making it much more than just joyful music. Therapeutic music plays a crucial role in restoring our emotional and mental well-being.
The science of neuroscience has also recognized that humans can establish new pathways in the brain, and sound therapy is medically recognized and applied, especially in pain relief.
Meditation instruments can be used for various purposes, such as:
Possibly the oldest group-used meditation and relaxation instrument. It has a millennia-old tradition in Southeast Asian countries (Indian subcontinent, Thailand, Malaysia) with its origins believed to be in Vietnam, where it is considered part of the cultural heritage.
Its sound is extremely rich, powerful, and vibrant, capable of inducing a state of deep relaxation. It has a cosmic, mystical sound quality that can transport listeners to another dimension.
Gongs come in various sizes, but there are particularly large ones (0.5-1 meter in diameter) that are recommended for advanced musicians to play.
They can be used for both self-healing and group therapy, and are often featured in sound baths.
The sound of singing bowls is incredibly soothing, making them excellent for meditation and sound therapy.
Tibetan (or Himalayan) singing bowls are perhaps the most well-known sound therapy instruments in the Western world, with crystal singing bowls being their modern counterparts.
They are made from an alloy of various metals and are typically used in multiples during meditation sessions, as the sound varies with each bowl size.
They are extremely easy to play, accessible to anyone, and available in a wide array of variations.
Singing bowls are suitable for both personal and group therapy and can be placed directly on the body or nearby.
Listen here:
The sound of crystal singing bowls is ethereal and sweet, facilitating deep relaxation and a sense of well-being. Like the Tibetan singing bowls, you can purchase a single bowl or a full set. A set consists of seven different bowls, each tuned to the seven chakras.
They are tuned to 440Hz and 432Hz
If your budget allows, getting a set is recommended as their sounds harmonize beautifully with each other.
Singing bowls sound beautiful when combined with a gong, complementing its sound.
Listen here:
Both the handpan and the tongue drum offer a pleasant and nerve-soothing experience.
Hanpan’s sound is melodic, slightly metallic-ceramic, and soft, touching the soul, calming the spirit, helping to manage stress, and relaxing both body and mind.
The sound of the tongue drum is more metallic and sharper, yet it also has a relaxing effect.
The frequency of the handpan’s sound is perfect for calming and relaxing the mind, making it an ideal accompaniment for meditation.
Even a few minutes of listening to handpan music can soothe your soul and transport you spiritually. The softly resonating sound of the handpan fills the space, immediately dispelling all disturbing thoughts.
With a handpan, you can create both vibrations and melodies at the same time. While the vibrations have a physical effect on our bodies, the melodies touch our emotions.
The handpan is excellent for meditation, yoga accompaniment, and sound therapy, whether played solo or with other instruments and handpans.
Listen here:
The Didgeridoo is a traditional instrument of the Australian Aboriginal people and is one of the oldest known instruments. Cave paintings reveal that it has been played for thousands of years.
Traditionally, it is made exclusively from eucalyptus wood, usually measuring around 1.2 meters in length, although it can be shorter or longer. The longer it is, the deeper its sound.
The instrument holds deep cultural and spiritual significance, and the name “didgeridoo” itself is an onomatopoeic word.
Its sound is unique and inimitable, creating a magical atmosphere. The didgeridoo produces a very deep, transcendent sound reminiscent of a natural horn, which can lead the listener into a profound state of consciousness.
Playing it requires complex techniques that demand prolonged practice.
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A rainstick is a long, hollow tube filled with beans or small pebbles. When they collide, they create a soothing sound reminiscent of rain.
The sound, akin to raindrops pattering, is extremely enjoyable and relaxing.
It’s easy to play by simply tilting or gently shaking it. Rainsticks are often used in sound baths alongside singing bowls and gongs.
Wind chimes are composed of tubes and can be made from metal or wood, with a history of use spanning thousands of years. Traditionally, they were hung at the entrances of houses in Southeast Asian countries.
Their sound is angelic and enchanting, resembling a delicate and positive flow of energy. Wind chimes of different lengths and materials produce distinct sounds.
They can easily be placed in a window or garden where the wind can gently play them, facilitating the practice of presence and mindfulness.
By tapping or gently shaking it by hand, a rainstick can be consciously integrated into a meditation or breathing practice. It can be combined with singing bowls, tuning forks, or other meditation instruments for deeper relaxation.
It can be used by beginners, yoga instructors, and therapists alike.
Listen here:
The tuning fork was originally developed in the 18th century for tuning musical instruments, such as those used by G.F. Handel.
However, it was later discovered that tuning forks have additional uses, and healers began using them to generate specific frequencies.
Their aim is to establish energetic balance. These simple yet effective vibrating tools emit fine, clear sounds that assist in deep relaxation, mindful presence, and achieving inner harmony.
By bringing the vibrating tuning fork close to various points of the body, one can help harmonize energy flow. When played near the ear, its fine, clear sounds can aid in relaxing brainwaves and deepening meditation.
Tuning forks are typically used in personal therapy but can also be applied in small group settings.
Listen here:
Meditation sounds with tuning forks
The kalimba, often referred to as the thumb piano, is played using one’s thumbs.
It fits comfortably in both hands and is an incredibly charming instrument.
Its playful, cheerful melodies are enjoyable, uplifting, and soothing to listen to. The sound is reminiscent of a music box.
The kalimba’s sound is similar to the chime of raindrops or soft wind chimes, naturally reducing stress and anxiety.
Its simple design, relatively low cost, and easily learnable playing technique make it an excellent choice for anyone as a meditation instrument.
Listen here:
The crystal harp is the newest meditation instrument. It consists of quartz crystal tubes attached to a wooden frame, which gives it a shape reminiscent of a xylophone, and it shares a similar playing technique. It can be played using a mallet or with moistened fingers.
Its sound is extraordinary, ethereal, magical, and completely unique, reminiscent of crystal bowls.
The crystal harp has a powerful therapeutic effect, helping to reach deep states of consciousness, immerse in meditation, and find inner peace.
It is used in sound therapies as it helps reduce stress and relax.
In addition to supporting meditation, it aids in spiritual growth and healing.
Listen here:
The Native American Flute is not only a beautifully sounding instrument but also a deeply spiritual tool that has long been used for healing, self-expression, and meditation.
Its soft, emotion-filled tones help deepen relaxation and harmonize the soul.
The slow, flowing melodies assist in relaxing the mind and entering deeper states of consciousness.
Its improvisational nature allows players to express their emotions and energies through music.
The flute’s vibrations and tones facilitate deep breathing and the discovery of inner peace, leading to profound relaxation.
It enables us to achieve exceptionally deep relaxation.
The Native American Flute is capable of slowing brainwaves and the mind, bringing us into a completely calm, trance-like state. In this state of deep tranquility, the conscious mind is freed from constraints, negative thoughts dissipate, and we relax.
Its healing effect lies in the peace and tranquility it creates.
It is often combined with guided meditations, breathing exercises, or singing bowls to enhance the relaxation effect.
The instrument works particularly well for meditation in nature, as its sound perfectly complements natural surroundings like birdsong or the flowing of water.
Listen here: Native American Flute playlist
If that’s the handpan, check out our webshop, where you can explore a selection of handpans that deliver crystal-clear, harmonious sounds.
