A Guide to Sound Healing Instruments

Imagine a world where sound is not just noise but a gentle wave that washes over you, soothing your mind, body, and soul. That’s the enchanting realm of sound healing. I’ve always been fascinated by how simple vibrations can create profound shifts in our wellbeing. Today, I’m inviting you to explore some wonderful tools (colleagues for me) for sound healing that can help you reset, reconnect and realign. And I have to say, I am super excited to share all I know (and I’m still learning...).

Whether you’re a curious beginner or someone looking to deepen your practice, this guide will walk you through the essentials. Ready to dive in? Let’s tune into the healing power of sound together.

Exploring Essential Tools for Sound Healing

Sound healing is all about using specific instruments to create vibrations that promote relaxation and balance. These tools are not just pretty objects (although I do think my instruments are beautiful); they are gateways to a calmer, more centred you. Here are some of my favourites:

Singing Bowls

These beautiful bowls, often made from metal or crystal, produce a rich, resonant tone when struck or circled with a mallet. The sound lingers (with a good quality bowl), creating a peaceful atmosphere that invites meditation and mindfulness. I love how the vibrations seem to ripple through the air, almost like a gentle hug for your nervous system.

How to use: Sit comfortably, hold the bowl in your palm and gently run the mallet around the rim (ooooh sir). Let the sound fill the room. You can also just strike the bowl. Personally, I love a mix of both techniques.

Benefits:

• Reduces stress and anxiety

• Enhances focus and meditation

• Promotes emotional clarity and balance

• Supports deep rest and better sleep

• Encourages energetic cleansing of spaces

Tuning Forks

Tuning forks are precise tools that emit a pure tone when struck. They’re often used in sound therapy to target specific energy points or chakras. I find them incredibly handy for quick resets during a busy day and love using them in my 1:1 sessions for pinpoint accuracy.

How to use: Strike the fork on a soft surface and hold it near your ears or over the body. I often use bones like the sternum or forehead as resonating plates.

Benefits:

• Balances energy and chakras

• Relieves tension and headaches

• Supports physical healing (especially joints and tissues)

• Improves mental clarity and concentration

• Restores inner harmony quickly

Drums and Rattles

Rhythmic instruments like drums and rattles connect us to ancient traditions and the heartbeat of the earth. Their vibrant beats can energise or calm, depending on how you play them. I enjoy using a drum to ground myself when I feel scattered and I’m becoming more confident singing along. A recent guest this Friday said, “Your singing with the drum was beautiful, it felt like it opened me up and realigned me. WOW!”

How to use: Play steady beats or gentle shakes, focusing on the rhythm. Shakers can really shift those stagnant irritations.

Benefits:

• Boosts vitality and energy flow

• Encourages emotional release (shakers especially)

• Fosters grounding and connection to nature

• Strengthens intuition and voice when paired with singing

• Builds a sense of community and shared rhythm

Koshi Chimes

Koshi Chimes are delicate, handcrafted wind chimes from the Pyrenees. Each chime is tuned to one of the four elements—Earth, Water, Fire and Air—producing gentle, flowing melodies. Their sound is light and ethereal, like whispers of nature moving through the room. I find them especially powerful for creating a sense of openness and flow to begin a Sound Bath and for grounding and reviving at the end.

How to use: Simply hang or hold the chime and let the wind (or your hand) set it in motion. Perfect for meditation, relaxation, or as a gentle background during treatments.

Benefits:

• Brings a sense of peace and lightness

• Supports meditation and creativity

• Balances emotions and uplifts mood

• Helps children and sensitive individuals relax

• Creates harmony in home or healing spaces

Tongue Drums

Tongue drums (also called steel or slit drums) are melodic percussion instruments with a warm, soothing resonance. They’re often tuned to pentatonic scales, which means every note harmonises beautifully. Playing one feels like unlocking a river of flowing sound—it’s intuitive, playful (why my young people love "Frog" and deeply calming.

How to use: Strike the tongues with your hands or soft mallets. Explore different rhythms and patterns—there are no wrong notes!

Benefits:

• Promotes deep relaxation and mindfulness

• Helps release tension and overthinking

• Encourages creative self-expression

• Balances the nervous system

• Supports group sound healing and playful exploration

Each instrument has its own personality and gift. The singing bowl hugs you with vibration, the tuning fork sharpens your clarity, the drum grounds you, the chimes lighten your heart, and the tongue drum opens the flow of creativity. Together, they weave a complete soundscape for healing, balance and joy.

What are the 5 Healing Sounds?

In traditional sound healing, five specific tones correspond to different elements and parts of the body. Each sound carries its own unique energy and purpose:

• Metal (Sound: “Shing”) – Sharp and clear, linked to the lungs and large intestine. Helps with letting go and clarity.

• Wood (Sound: “Chui”) – A rising, vibrant tone connected to the liver and gallbladder. Supports growth and renewal.

• Water (Sound: “Kū”) – Soft and flowing, relates to the kidneys and bladder. Encourages calm and adaptability.

• Fire (Sound: “Zāi”) – Bright and lively, associated with the heart and small intestine. Sparks joy and warmth.

• Earth (Sound: “Gong”) – Deep and grounding, linked to the spleen and stomach. Fosters stability and nourishment.

When these sounds are played in harmony, they create a balanced environment that nurtures healing on multiple levels. I often use these tones during my sessions to help clients feel centred and refreshed like when I play my water chime with my drum or Earth Chime with the bowls.

How to Choose Your Sound Healing Tools

Choosing the right tools can feel a bit overwhelming, but it’s really about what resonates with you. Here are some tips to help you pick your perfect sound companions:

• Listen first: If possible, try out different instruments. Which sound makes you feel calm or energised? Trust your ears and heart.

• Consider your space: Some instruments are loud and vibrant, others soft and subtle. Think about where you’ll use them.

• Start simple: You don’t need a full collection. A singing bowl or a tuning fork can be a great starting point.

• Think about your goals: Are you looking to relax, energise, or meditate? Different tools serve different purposes.

Personally, I started with a small set of Tibetan singing bowls. They were easy to use and quickly became part of my daily routine.

OR just come and see me and lie with all of them!

Incorporating Sound Healing into Your Daily Life

Sound healing isn’t just for special occasions or therapy sessions. It’s a wonderful way to bring calm and clarity into everyday moments. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Morning reset: Begin your day with a few minutes of singing bowl sounds to set a peaceful tone, or step outside and listen to the birds sing. Koshi chimes are also beautiful in the morning—their gentle melodies feel like sunlight for the soul.

• Work breaks: Use a tuning fork to clear your mind and reduce tension during busy workdays. Or try a tongue drum for a creativity boost—the flowing notes help reset your thoughts and inspire fresh ideas.

• Family time: Introduce drums or rattles during playtime to create joyful, mindful connections. At home, we sometimes play piano, guitar, and drum together—like a sound healing band! Kids also love Koshi chimes and tongue drums because they’re so intuitive and calming.

• Evening wind-down: Let gentle sounds guide you into a restful night’s sleep. Singing bowls and Koshi chimes are especially soothing at bedtime, while a soft tongue drum rhythm can help release the day and invite sweet dreams.

Remember, the magic is in the experience. Play, explore and let the vibrations guide you. The more you weave sound into your daily life, the more natural it becomes to shift into calm, balance and joy whenever you need it.

Embracing the Journey of Sound Healing

Sound healing is a beautiful journey of discovery and self-care. The tools I’ve shared are just the beginning. As you explore, you’ll find your own rhythm and favourites. Whether it’s the deep hum of a singing bowl, the crisp tone of a tuning fork, the grounding beat of a drum, the airy song of a Koshi chime, or the flowing resonance of a tongue drum—each sound can become an ally in finding balance and peace.

So, why not give it a go? Let the sounds wash over you and discover the calm and joy that await. Your wellbeing deserves this beautiful, sonic embrace.

With love and blessings,

Kimberley xx

(see you at a Sound Bath or event soon!)