01/14/2026
What are Friction Mallets or Flumis?
A friction mallet, also called a flumi, is a specialized mallet with a soft, often rubber or silicone head, used by dragging it across a gong or singing bowl to create sustained, ethereal tones and high overtones, rather than striking it. They’re essential for sound healing and creating whale-like sounds, differing from traditional hard mallets that produce sharp strikes, and are used in techniques for sound baths and therapeutic sound work.
Key Characteristics & Uses:
* Sound Creation: Creates continuous, singing sounds by rubbing the head along the instrument’s surface.
* Sound Quality: Produces high harmonics, overtones, and unique textures (like “whale sounds”).
* Materials: Features rubber, silicone, or superball heads for smooth friction.
* Application: Popular in sound therapy, gong baths, and percussion for experimental music.
Flumi used on this post is the OLLIHESS CRAZY EGG FRICTION MALLET.
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