A tingsha is a small pair of metal cymbals connected by a leather cord. The sound they produce is clear, high-pitched, and long-lasting—often described as pure and “ringing.”

What a tingsha is used for

Tingshas are commonly used in:

• Meditation – to mark the beginning or end of a session
• Spiritual rituals in Tibetan Buddhism
• Sound healing – the tone is believed to help focus the mind and clear distractions
• Mindfulness practices – as an auditory cue to return attention to the present

How to play a tingsha

It’s simple, but technique matters if you want that clean, resonant tone: Keep your hands relaxed; tension can mute the vibration. A light, precise tap produces a more beautiful tone than a hard hit.

1. Hold one cymbal in each hand by the cord or edge (don’t grip too tightly).
2. Bring them together gently—you don’t want to crash them like drum cymbals.
3. Strike the edges together, not the flat faces. This creates a clearer tone.
4. Let them ring—avoid damping the sound unless you want to stop it intentionally.
5. For repeated use, pause between strikes to let the sound fully fade.