Bringing the sound out of bowls

The room is quiet, except for a low hum. The sound grows as others join it - some higher, others lower - until vibrations can be felt in the body and the room fills with an almost haunting sound. Then, the voices join.

This is the regular setting for the Circle Song Circles, which utilizes crystal bowls to make music. Imagine running a finger along the edge of crystal glass to produce sound. The same concept applies to the bowls, with a much richer sound. Rather than a finger, bowl players use a piece of wood wrapped in leather, and run it along the bowl's outside edge.

While the bowls can be made to sing with just this simple motion, Vanessa Lillie explained hitting the bowl first can bring the note much easier.

Speed is also a factor, as running the wood along the edge too quickly can make the bowl rattle.

Lillie first got into playing the bowls after attending a concert when she lived in Santa Cruz, Calif. "I thought it was really cool," she said. Since winter, she has been providing playing and singing sessions, Mondays at 10:45 a.m. in the Day Room at the armory.

Many of the songs have a spiritual angle, and Lillie noted participant Shelley Butler once taught them a song in Latin. The songs are shared to continue the oral tradition, as they are not regularly written down anywhere.

Lillie also uses a Tibetan bowl when she starts and ends a Yoga class she teaches.

Butler and Lillie, as well as Chris O'Byrne agree the music produced by the bowls is very calming, relaxing and uplifting. Butler said it reminds her of sitting by the river, and it's very prayerful.

Those interested in playing or hearing the bowls can join Circle Song Circles during the Monday sessions. Bowls are also available to order online.