As a sound therapist on the road for quite a few years now, offering group sound baths in various locations, one of my main concerns (and headaches) is the safe and convenient transport of my instruments. I’m sure this is a shared struggle among many sound healing professionals out there. Traveling with sound healing instruments, whether by car or plane, can be frustrating and risky. It’s frustrating because you constantly need to think about saving space and finding the most practical way to pack everything. It’s risky because certain instruments, like crystal singing bowls, crystal harps, or crystal pyramids, are incredibly fragile and can break easily.
If Sport Billy (For those who don’t know, Sport Billy is a cartoon character famous for his magic bag that could hold everything!) were a sound therapist, he’d have no trouble packing everything into his magic bag. Unfortunately, for the rest of us without such a bag, moving around is much more complicated. That’s why I’ve decided to narrow down the options and highlight the most portable sound therapy instruments for on-the-go therapists. By the way, if you’re looking for even more ideas, you can check out my comprehensive guide on 20+ Sound Healing Instruments for Sound Therapy and Relaxation.
Important Things to Consider When Traveling for Sound Work
1. Bag Allowance
First and foremost, it’s important to consider how many instruments you can pack and take with you based on the available space and allowed baggage. If you’re traveling by plane, your options will be quite limited. However, if you’re traveling by car or van, the possibilities expand significantly! This blog post is geared towards those who want to travel light, with only lightweight and easy-to-carry instruments.
2. 1-to-1 or Group Sound Work?
Another key consideration is whether you’re doing 1-to-1 sessions or group sound work. For group settings, you’ll need instruments that can be heard clearly throughout the space. While you can do 1-to-1 sound therapy with just a few singing bowls, tuning forks, and a chime, group sound baths require instruments that can fill a larger area. For example, if you’re hosting a sound bath outdoors, instruments like tuning forks or a kalimba may not project the sound effectively. These instruments don’t produce as much volume, and factors like wind can cause the sound to travel in the wrong direction. With that in mind, it’s essential to choose instruments that are appropriate for the specific type of sound work you’re planning to offer.
3. Traveling with Mallets and Accessories
Don’t forget that mallets, stands, and accessories also need to be packed securely. These are often small but essential parts of your setup. Consider a well-organized travel bag that can accommodate both instruments and accessories in one place.
4. Weather Conditions
For outdoor events, keep the weather conditions in mind. Some instruments might be affected by humidity, temperature, or wind. Plan accordingly by checking the forecast or bringing weatherproof covers for your instruments.
So now that we’ve covered the above we can move forward to the 11 Easy-to-Transport Sound Healing Instruments for Traveling Sound Healers.
The Most Travel-Friendly Sound Bath Instruments
1. Tibetan Singing Bowls
Tibetan singing bowl chakra set
I couldn’t start this list without mentioning my all-time favorite instrument, the Himalayan singing bowls. I know some of you might wonder, How are singing bowls easy to transport? Well, if you have a chakra set weighing less than 10 kg that fits inside a carry-on backpack, this can be your go-to for both 1-to-1 sound therapies and group sound baths. The key is to stack the bowls inside each other, with a towel or thick fleece blanket for padding. Add three mallets: one hard mallet with a leather head for higher tones, and two soft ones—one for larger bowls and one for smaller ones. A small 7-inch full chakra set costs around €500 and is perfect for travel.
For those interested in diving deeper into Tibetan singing bowls, I also recommend reading How to Choose a Tibetan Singing Bowl: Your Complete Guide.
Find Tibetan singing bowls on Thomann.de and Amazon.
2. Tuning Forks
Tuning Forks – Chakra Set
Tuning forks are incredibly easy to pack. A chakra set takes up about the same space as a 700ml water bottle. They create an ethereal sound when gently struck together, making them an excellent addition to any sound bath. The full chakra set for off-the-body work, typically comes in a compact folding case. You could also get a 128Hz and 64Hz weighted tuning forks which are great for on-the-body work. Professional tuning forks like the biosonic tuning forks cost around 40€ for a single tuning fork and 200€ for a Solfeggio Tuning Forks set.
Find Tuning Forks on Thomann, Biosonics and Amazon.
3. Shaman Drum 16″
Remo Bahia Buffalo Drum
A 16″ drum is another great option. It’s not too big or too small and fits in a carry-on suitcase. It produces a deep, resonant sound that, when played in rhythmic patterns, can induce a transcendental state for listeners. It’s also fantastic for grounding energy. The Remo Bahia Buffalo Drum 16″ costs around €100 on Thomann, but you can find more affordable options, like the Thomann Shaman Drum 16″, for just €35.
Find Hand Drums on Thomann.de.
4. Koshi Chimes or Zaphyr Chimes
Koshi chimes
If you’re a sound therapist, you probably already own a Koshi or Zaphir chime, or at least you’ve encountered them in a sound bath. These handmade chimes produce ethereal tones in different tunings, evoking various mental and emotional states. Koshi chimes are based on the four elements (Earth, Wind, Fire, Water), while Zaphir chimes are themed around the seasons. Both brands create beautiful sounds, with Koshi offering a smoother tone and Zaphyr a crisper, more angelic resonance. They weigh only a few grams and are quite small in size as they stand about 15 cm tall making them easy to transport around. They are very easy to play, and require no musical knowledge. They cost €40–€50 each.
Find Koshi and Zaphir Chimes on Thomann.de.
5. Mouth Harp
Terra Mouth Harp
The mouth harp is probably the smallest sound healing tool you can carry around, making it perfect for travel. I always bring one with me on vacation because it’s so compact—you can even fit it in your pocket! This ancient instrument appears in many civilizations around the world. In fact, in 2018, archaeologists discovered 20 jaw harps in China, dating back about 4,000 years. In Nepal, it’s called murchunga, in Russia, vargan, in Cambodia, angkuoch, and in Turkey, ağız kopuzu. There are various types of mouth harps, from the classic Jew’s harp (unrelated to Judaism) to the Vietnamese mouth harp. The sound depends on several factors, including the material, size, and craftsmanship. It’s intuitive to play and very beginner-friendly. Plus, you can get one for as little as €10. For more on its fascinating history, check out its Wikipedia page.
Find Mouth Harps on Thomann.de and Amazon.
6. Flute
I’ll admit I don’t own or play the flute, but it’s undeniably a popular instrument in sound healing, especially in Native American and Latin American traditions. It’s lightweight and easy to carry, though I’m not sure how much practice is required to play it well. A decent Native American flute starts at around €50, making it a relatively affordable addition to your toolkit.
Find Flutes on Thomann.de and Amazon.
7. Kalimba
Meinl Kalimba
The kalimba, or thumb piano, is a wonderfully portable instrument—about the size of your palm. It produces a beautiful metallic, melodic sound and is incredibly easy to play. Kalimbas come in various styles and qualities, with prices starting at €30 and going up to €200. While it’s not a mainstay for extended use in sound baths, it’s perfect for adding harmonic tones near the end of a session to bring a calming conclusion.
Find Kalimba on Thomann.de and Amazon.
8. Shruti Box
Shruti box
The shruti box is one of my favorite instruments. Originating from India, it’s similar to a harmonium and produces a rich, hypnotic drone sound. This sound is excellent for deep meditative states and pairs beautifully with vocal toning, mantra singing, or other instruments like the flute. With adjustable buttons, you can create specific notes and harmonies, resulting in a full-bodied, resonant tone. A standard-sized shruti box fits neatly into a 15″ laptop bag (it can easily be placed under the plane seat) and weighs about 2–2.5 kg. I bought mine in India for a third of the price you’d find in Europe. However, if you order one online from an Indian store, remember to factor in potential customs fees. Shruti boxes are available on Thomann and other music platforms.
9. Flow Chime
Flow Chime
Flow chimes are fantastic for spreading harmonious sounds in a session. Made from tuned aluminum bars, they can be hung and played while seated, but the magic truly happens when you hold them and move around the space. By gently striking the bars and swaying or rotating the chime, you can create a spherical, immersive sound experience. Weighing around 2 kg, flow chimes are easy to pack into a cabin bag. They come in various sizes and tunings. My 9-bar flow chime, tuned in A, is compact and a joy to use for harmonizing a session.
10. Small Ocean Drum
Remo 16″ ocean drum
If you want to incorporate the element of water into your session, the ocean drum is an ideal choice. It contains small metallic balls that mimic the soothing sound of crashing waves as they move. The beauty of this instrument is that, when played correctly, you can create a continuous wave-like sound. I often use the ocean drum right after the gong part, as it serves as a fantastic tool to “wash away” stagnant energy that has been released till then. While larger ocean drums produce a fuller, smoother sound, a 16″ drum is much easier to transport. The trade-off is that smaller drums can sometimes produce a slightly harsher tone. However, a 16″ ocean drum is available for as little as €45, making it a cost-effective and portable addition to your instrument collection.
Find ocean drums on Thomann.
11. Kenari Wind Chimes
Kenari Wind Chimes
Kenari wind chimes are my go-to instrument for grounding energy at the end of a sound bath or a 1-to-1 session. Made from Kenari nutshells, they create a gentle, soothing sound as the shells collide with one another. For an enhanced experience, combine them with a Koshi chime—hold one in each hand and gently swing them as you move around the space. The Meinl Kenari chimes are compact enough to fit into a 15″ laptop bag (I usually pack mine in my shruti box bag). Priced at around €75 on Thomann, they’re delicate, so pack them carefully to avoid damage.
Find Kenari chimes on Thomann.
12. Shaker
Egg Shaker
Shakers are small percussion instruments perfect for grounding energy and adding rhythm to your sound healing session. Available in various styles and sizes, one of the smallest and most affordable is the egg shaker, which costs as little as €1. For a higher-quality option, a shaker from Schlagwerk might cost around €20.
Find Shakers on Thomann.
13. Tingsha
Originating in Tibet, Tingshas are small cymbals traditionally used in Tibetan Buddhist rituals and prayers. They consist of two metal discs, often crafted from copper or an alloy, connected by a leather cord. When struck together, they produce a high-pitched, resonant tone that creates a clear and focused sound, often with a binaural beat effect. Compact and lightweight, Tingshas are ideal for opening and closing sound healing sessions, adding a spiritual and grounding element to the practice.
Find Tingsha on Thomann.
14. Small Tongue drum
8″ Nataraj Tongue drum
Tongue drums are loved for their simplicity and beautiful tones, making them a hit with both beginners and seasoned players. My first tongue drum, a Happy Drum, was my go-to in 2016—I took it everywhere, and everyone loved its soothing sound. These days, they come in portable sizes like 10″ or even 6″, perfect for travel. A friend recently played an 8″ Nataraj Tongue Drum (see above) at a home concert, and it was quite good, especially for just €80! With prices starting at €40, they’re a must-have for any sound healing setup.
Find Tongue drums on Thomann.
Traveling as a sound therapist isn’t without its challenges, but having the right instruments can make all the difference. The 11 options listed here are portable, versatile, and perfect for on-the-go sound healers.
Before you go make sure you visit my YouTube channel to hear recordings of many of these instruments in action and explore my Instagram page for updates, sound therapy tips, and behind-the-scenes insights from my workshops and travels!
Disclaimer: This post contain affiliate links. However, please note that all opinions and recommendations are based on my personal experience and research. I only share products and instruments that I genuinely believe in and find useful for sound healing.
