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Tuning Fork Styles – What’s the difference?

Tuning Fork Styles

In our previous post we looked at the two different finishes of tuning forks that we offer here at Sacred Notes, aluminium and gold tone. (read all about that here)

In this post we delve into another aspect of our tuning forks, the different styles available.

Our tuning forks come as both Un-weighted and Weighted. 

The forks’ structures remain the same across both styles it is just the addition of the weights that is the difference.

The addition of the weights means that the fork’s length is shortened so they are often used for very low frequency forks that would be very long if created in the unweighted style.

Similarly, some higher frequency tuning forks can only be made in the un-weighted style as they would be too short to hold the fork structure if created in the weighted style.

Fork Structure

Weighted Tuning Forks:-

  • to tone the fork, simply use a Tuning Fork Activator or Rubber ball Mallet (you can also squeeze the two weights together and quickly release to activate the vibration or tap it on the palm of the hand or knee)
  • can be played by the ears, moved through the aura and placed directly on the physical body.
  • they work more on the Physical level.
  • they create a more physical vibration in the fork tines or prongs when struck.
  • the vibration is felt more strongly and at a deeper level when the stem of the fork is placed on the body (this is due to the weights at the end of each prong).
  • the sound lasts longer but is softer and more diffused than the identical frequency in an unweighted fork.
  • Weighted forks are excellent to use for pain relief, reducing inflammation and inducing relaxation.
  • they are heavier in weight.
  • they are shorter in length than the same frequency fork in the un-weighted style.

un-Weighted Tuning Forks

  • the Unweighted tuning fork is plain at the end of each prong.
  • to tone the fork, simply use a Tuning Fork Activator or Rubber ball Mallet (you can also tap it on the palm of the hand or knee, or sometimes tap two forks together)
  • can be played by the ears, moved through the aura and placed directly on the physical body.
  • they create a more subtle vibration in the tines or prongs when struck.
  • they work more on the subtle or energetic level.
  • the vibration is felt less strongly and is more subtle when the stem of the fork is placed on the body.
  • the sound does not last as long, but it is sharper and more crystallized.
  • these forks are excellent to use for clearing the energy field, for mental and emotional balance, for promoting inner harmony and wholeness and spiritual connection.
  • they are lighter in weight.
  • they are longer in length than the same fork in weighted type.
Tuning fork styles
Un-Weighted and Weighted Tuning Forks

The choice of whether you use weighted or unweighted tuning forks (or a combination of both) should be based on what you hope to achieve from your sound session, as both types of forks work in different ways to support your wellbeing. 

The weights on weighted tuning forks have the effect of directing the soundwaves down the prongs of the fork, through the stem. This makes them particularly effective when placed physically on the body, as the frequencies can more directly reach the meridians, chakras or areas of the body that may be blocked or uncomfortable. 

Unweighted tuning forks, on the other hand, tend to disperse the soundwaves outwards and upwards, this has a gentler balancing and energising vibrational effect on the whole body and aura. 

It is also possible to use the weighted forks off the body in the same way as the unweighted for similar effect, making them a popular choice for some people when setting out to explore the use of tuning forks for health and wellbeing.

Here are a couple of audio tracks of the two types of forks – have a listen.

un-Weighted Om Tuning Fork Gold Tone
Weighted Om Tuning Fork Gold Tone

Do you have a favourite style of fork – let us know in the comments below!