What is a Tuning Fork?

A tuning fork itself is made with one pitch. And when clanged against anything will always play the same pitch. These can come in handy when trying to tune an instrument.

@kangaBurg – Now that you mention it, I do feel vibrations coming from my piano tuning forks when I hold them. I guess I never noticed because I’m always concentrating on my piano when I have one of the forks in my hand. I prefer using forks instead of electronic tuners because it makes me feel more involved in the piano tuning process.

And here’s a trick for amplifying a tuning fork’s sound: press the end of the vibrating fork’s handle to any flat surface.

@smartypantz – You’re on a roll with that post! I'd just like to add a little bit more, since I work as an alternative medicine practitioner myself.

When it comes to alternative medicine, there are two different types of medical tuning forks: Standard and Weighted. Each one is better suited for certain applications. Standard tuning forks are much better suited for clearing and balancing the energies of the body (such as Chakras).

Weighted tuning forks create stronger vibrations, making them great for muscle relaxation techniques. Weighted tuning forks transfer vibrations to the body very easily, so an experienced practitioner can actually relieve pain by placing a vibrating weighted tuning fork on the correct spot of your body!

Tuning forks are also used in alternative medicine -- my sister has a set of chakra tuning forks, and according to her, each tuning fork corresponds to a Chakra -- apparently they are used for balancing your body’s energy frequencies.

Striking these special forks causes them to vibrate, and each fork is set to do so at the exact same frequency as one of the eight Chakras. If you place a vibrating Chakra tuning fork on your body, at the center of its corresponding Chakra, it can eventually help that energy center adjust back to its proper frequency. At first, I thought it was kind of hoax-y, but my sister swears by them.

For anyone who doesn’t know, Chakras are the eight major energy centers of your body. As I stated, they each vibrate at a specific frequency. It is believed that those vibrations affect your body’s electromagnetic field, and can also affect everything from physical health to your connection with the spiritual realm.

Our bodies flow with energy, and as long as that flow is unhindered, everything is fine. But, if any blockages form, your vital organs - and even your soul – may not get the energy they need in order to function properly. In some parts of India and Tibet, this is believed to be the cause of many physical ailments. This idea is also taking hold in Western countries, as well.