Antique Thadobati Singing & Talking Bowl – Exceptionally Vocal!

Antique Singing and Talking Bowl.  G3 (Throat Chakra)

Weight 1 lb 14½ oz. (862g).   Size 18 x 10 cm (approx. 7 x 4 inches)

This antique 18^th – 19^th century high-wall Thadobati Singing Bowl has one of the best ‘Talking Voices’ I have come across.  One has only to play it around the rim with water inside to set it going.  The talking sound is more accurately described as a kind of other-worldly howling and wailing, and is sometimes accompanied by its normal singing voice, and even some small fountains!

This is a very responsive and easy bowl to play.  The fundamental note is an excellent third octave G with a frequency of 195 to 197Hz that is very close to perfect concert pitch (196Hz).  The note is the same whether struck with a padded mallet or played around the rim with a suede ringer, but if a wooden ringer is used the rim note changes to a high sixth octave C (1000Hz).  A double –ended suede and wood ringer is included in the price.

This singing bowl has unusually high walls, and a flat bottom.  The walls are quite fine, and there is a single groove running around the lip.  There are two rows of tiny punched dots encircling the bowl close to the rim on the outer wall, and two sets of decorative bands; one below the dots and the other around the middle.  There are also some small circles at the bowl’s centre.  This bowl has obviously been well used in its lifetime, but it is structurally sound, has a nice antique bronze colour, and the look and feel of antiquity.

{audio}thado862g3talk.mp3{/audio}

Listen: (2 struck notes and 1 played note)

{audio}thado862talk.mp3{/audio}

Listen: (talking voice – sorry, hard to play and record)