Sounddive: Practical Course in Playing Crystal Bowls and Gongs

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

One full day of theory and hands-on practice with the instruments. The course is designed for those who want to learn to guide sound at a professional level, based on the physics of sound, precise technique and ergonomics—with no mysticism or unnecessary theory.

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

BLOCK I: Crystal bowls (12:00–15:00)
Focus: precision, resonance and composition.

• Sound production fundamentals: bowl placement options, types of mallets (rubber, silicone, suede) and how their density affects timbre
• Playing methods: striking (strike), circular playing (rub) and combined techniques; common mistakes and how to correct them
• Frequency control: understanding the resonance of fundamental tones and overtones; harmonic intervals using several bowls (third, fifth, octave)
• Dynamics control: gradually increasing vibration from silence to a full, rich sound
• Composition: how to structure a session so it holds the listener’s attention from beginning to end

BLOCK II: Gongs (16:00–19:30)
Focus: acoustics, technique and physics.

• Theoretical basis: types of gongs and their acoustic properties
• Choosing mallets: density and weight according to the desired frequency range
• Practical session: fundamental principles of sound production and variations in striking techniques
• Control of intensity and dynamics: from a barely audible sound to a powerful wall of sound
• Creating sequences and dramaturgy in a gong session

🕰 Schedule
12:00 — Arrival, introductions and distribution of materials
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 organise and deepen their existing knowledge. No prior musical education is required.

📍 Practical information
Venue: VYBRA studio, Old Riga, Jauniela 15. Enter through the central doors of the building, between the entrances to the “Cuba Cafe” premises. Press the intercom buzzer at the door.
Participation fee: listed under the ticket types.
Certificate: all participants receive a certificate of participation.
Instruments: all instruments are provided at the studio; you do not need to bring your own. Crystal bowls are available for purchase by instalments.

The group is small so that everyone has enough time with the instruments. Your place is reserved once the advance payment has been made.