Key points at a glance
- Very different sounds can be produced with different types of mallets.
- While some mallets are especially suitable for Singing Bowls, other mallets can only be used for gongs, or for both equally.
- The types of mallets differ in shapes, sizes and materials - all these factors determine which sound is produced with the mallet.
- In this article, you will learn about the types of mallets that are available, what they are particularly suitable for and how you can get the most out of the sounds.
What is a mallet?
In order to understand the different types of mallets, we would first like to take a look at their origins with you. Traditionally, a Singing Bowl was played with a simple stick made of wood. In some cases, mallets made of glass were also used in order to achieve an even more varied range of sounds.
It was discovered early on that mallets with a soft surface produce lighter vibrations and can thus create very gentle and long sounds. People started covering the wooden mallets with soft leather in order to produce particularly pleasant sounds. Today, mallets are generally no longer covered with leather, as there are now much softer materials that enable even more multifaceted sound spectra.
How is a mallet constructed?
Among the different types of mallets, there are many differently shaped models. However, the basic structure is always the same: a mallet consists of a handle, shaft, and head. The heads of mallets for gongs and Singing Bowls are often made of caoutchouc, felt, or fleece – or several materials are combined. The handle usually consists of a robust material, for example, wood or aluminum, or is covered with a haptically pleasant layer that ensures a good grip. The shaft is often made of the same material.
Note
The size of the mallet is particularly important when it comes to the shape of the mallet: the smaller and harder the mallet, the higher the tone that is produced when playing a Singing Bowl or a gong. Accordingly, a larger mallet is used for low tones. The duration of the sound and the volume are also directly related to the size of the mallet.
What types of mallets are there?
Mallets differ not only in shapes and materials – most mallets are specially made for certain instruments. In our article, we would like to give you an overview of the special mallets for Singing Bowls and mallets for gongs. But many other instruments are also played with a mallet – including drums, drum sets or timpani. Accordingly, there is also a large variety of mallet types.
Felt mallets and fabric mallets
Felt mallets are characterized above all by the harmonious tone that can be produced by the relatively soft felt material. The softer the felt ball, the gentler and deeper the tone that is produced when the chime is played. Due to the different sizes and degrees of hardness of the felt, more voluminous and powerful, as well as softer sounds are possible.
In the sound exercise in the following video, you can hear the sound of a soft felt mallet and get inspiration for a daily ritual with a Singing Bowl.
Tip
Felt mallets are particularly well suited for playing Singing Bowls. The light weight, which is characteristic of felt mallets, is an advantage. Several Singing Bowls can also be played well with a felt mallet at the same time. Which tone is ultimately produced depends not only on the hardness of the felt mallet, but of course also on the Singing Bowl itself.
For thin-walled Singing Bowls, particularly soft felt mallets should be used in order to achieve the most harmonious sound result possible. Thick-walled Singing Bowls, on the other hand, are played with harder felt mallets.
Rubber mallets
A major advantage of the rubber mallet is the high level of hygiene that can be ensured by the head made of natural caoutchouc or rubber. The rubber mallet is therefore very often used, especially in the therapeutic field of sound therapy, where strict hygiene regulations must be observed. But there are also good acoustic reasons to use a rubber mallet: it is used for both rubbing and striking techniques and thus offers a broad spectrum of different pitches.
The caoutchouc head is attached to a round stick, which is usually made of soft woods in order to maintain slight flexibility. If you use rubber mallets to strike Singing Bowls, this creates a very clear, soft tone. If you decide to use the rubber mallet as a friction mallet instead, you run it along the edge of the Singing Bowl, creating a continuous and intense sound.
Aluminum mallets
Aluminum is considered one of the lightest metals and is therefore very popular in sound therapy. Aluminum mallets have a very low weight, which in turn allows you to play for a long time. The hygienic aspect is also very important, because the metal is very easy to disinfect and can therefore also be used in a therapeutic context.
Acoustically, aluminum mallets offer their own unique sound. The room-filling sounds of the aluminum mallet depend not only on the material of the handle, but also on the head. Most aluminum mallets have a rubber or felt head, which influences the sound in different ways.
Gong mallets
Many mallets are specially designed for playing a Singing Bowl. A gong mallet, on the other hand, is specially developed for use on a gong. The gong mallet is also constructed like a typical mallet and consists of a handle, which is usually made of wood, and a head, which is often made of felt, caoutchouc, fleece or fabric – or a combination of several materials.
Depending on where the gong mallet is used on the gong, different sounds are produced. Gong mallets are available in numerous variations; they differ not only in the materials but also in the sizes.
Gong friction mallets
The gong friction mallet is usually shorter and therefore handier compared to a gong mallet. While striking the gong produces very sweeping and powerful tones, a gong friction mallet can be used to create a more sustained and lasting tone that directly affects the listener with bright and deep nuances.
A friction mallet should always meet the highest quality standards, as otherwise damage or contamination of the gong may result. When selecting the material, make sure that the head of the friction mallet is made of a material that is as soft as possible and does not leave any residue on the gong.
Singing bowl friction mallets
A friction mallet creates sound through friction, as the name suggests. Compared to classic striking, rubbing a Singing Bowl requires a little more practice.
Tip
If you want to create long-lasting and almost "singing" sounds, then the mallet is exactly the right choice. The larger your Singing Bowl, the easier it will be for you to achieve the desired sounds with the mallet.
However, it's not just about your Singing Bowl, but also about the material the mallet is made of. Typically, a friction mallet has a wooden handle and a rather hard head made of, for example, felt or caoutchouc. Some mallets for gongs and Singing Bowls are additionally wrapped with textile leather.
But be careful: When buying a Singing Bowl mallet, you should always pay attention to a high level of quality, otherwise scratches or other damage to the Singing Bowl may result. In our article, we explain how you should clean and care for your Singing Bowl in order to be able to create beautiful sounds with a Singing Bowl mallet for as long as possible.
What is the difference between a mallet and a friction mallet?
Singing Bowls and gongs can be played with a mallet or a friction mallet to create a variety of sounds. However, the sound image differs greatly between the two variants – and that is why specially developed mallets or friction mallets are used for both playing methods.
A mallet is usually longer than a friction mallet in order to generate sufficient energy for a powerful strike through the force of the swing. While the mallet is used to strike Singing Bowls or gongs, the friction mallet is used for the gentler tones, which, however, last much longer in comparison. Especially with the gong, this creates very characteristic tones that remind us of the song of whales. With a friction mallet, you run over the instrument to create a very long and intense sound. You can find out more in our article about the differences between mallets and friction mallets.
Which mallets are specially suitable for Singing Bowls and which are specially suitable for gongs?
The differences are diverse: mallets for gongs are usually much longer and have a better grip than mallets for Singing Bowls, which is not least due to the size of a gong. But also the energy that has to be used for a strike is significantly higher for gongs due to their size – and a longer gong mallet is also recommended for this. With a Singing Bowl, on the other hand, it is particularly important to work with a mallet that is as light as possible in order to enable a smooth chime. Therefore, the handles here are not only shorter, but usually also made of lighter woods.
Mallets for gongs, on the other hand, are not only longer, but in some cases also have a much more voluminous head. In terms of material, the two mallets and friction mallets do not differ as much as one might think – because felt heads or caoutchouc heads are also used for a gong mallet to create a beautiful sound. While most mallets for Singing Bowls only have one head on the mallet, two-sided mallets are also often used for gongs. With these types of mallets, there is a head at both ends of the handle in order to enable a double chime.
How do you find the right mallet for you?
If you would like to buy a mallet, you should find out in advance which mallets are suitable for your Singing Bowl or gong. Depending on the material chosen, characteristic sound images are created, which are all unique, but may not necessarily be suitable for you.
The external factors also play a role: If you want to use the mallet in a therapeutic context, strict hygiene regulations must be observed. Here, a material that can be thoroughly disinfected without being damaged is recommended. Just have a look around in our range and find the right mallet for your individual needs.