When working with Crystal Singing Bowls, understanding how they are tuned can help you build a harmonious set where the bowls resonate beautifully together.

What is a Cent?

A cent is a unit of measurement that divides the space between two musical notes into 100 equal parts. Instead of jumping directly from one note to the next (e.g., from C to C#), cents help identify subtle variations in pitch between them.

Each bowl is labelled with a musical note (e.g., A, C, F#) and a cent value (e.g., A-30, A+10), indicating whether the bowl is slightly flat (-) or sharp (+) relative to the standard pitch of that note.

How Cents Work

Cent values range from -50 to +50 within a single note. A value of 0 cents is the exact standard pitch of a note. A value of -50 cents is halfway between one note and the next lower note, while +50 cents is halfway between one note and the next higher note. A bowl at +50 cents is essentially the same pitch as a bowl at -50 cents of the next higher note.

For example, a bowl labelled C+50 is very close in pitch to C#-50. A bowl labelled A-20 is slightly flatter than a perfect A, but still within the A range.

What About Octaves?

Each bowl also belongs to a specific octave, which determines its pitch range. Lower octaves (1st & 2nd) produce deep, grounding tones with strong vibrations. Middle octaves (3rd & 4th) are balanced and versatile, often used for harmonic blending. Higher octaves (5th) are bright, light, and ethereal in sound.

Your bowls will always have both an octave number and a cent value, helping you understand their exact pitch and how they will interact with other bowls.

Creating a Harmonious Set

To ensure a smooth and resonant blend, bowls are best kept within 20 cents of each other. For example, a set with notes between -20 and -40 cents will sound more cohesive.

By considering both cent values and octaves, you can select bowls that naturally harmonise, whether you're starting a collection or expanding an existing one.

Need Help Finding Harmonic Bowls?

If you're looking to expand your collection, I’m happy to help! If you cannot visit us at the Alchemies Studio in person, you can send me sound files or videos of your bowls, and I’ll guide you in selecting additional notes that will harmonise beautifully with your existing set.

Feel free to reach out anytime—I'm here to support your journey with these beautiful instruments.

In harmony,
Genevra