THE
GONGS WE
USE :
Paiste Gong 60"
Awesome is the only word
to describe the sound of this amazing instrument!
The symphonic Gong is the basis of a Gong collection
& this wonderful unique instrument is of a particularly
high quality & calibre. Just standing in front
of it brings a smile to my face:-) Playing it is like
being in a cathedral with choirs of angels singing
- voices upon voices pour out of it continuously as
the harmonics build layer upon layer on top of one
another. A deeply nurturing all-encompassing sound
which totally cradles the listener. It works on a
deep cellular level. It is so sensitive that it often
resonates with other sounds in the room as though
wanting to be played. For me this is the ultimate
Gong - like the voice of the Universe. A truly amazing
healing instrument of which I am privileged to be
the custodian.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Universal Gong 41.5"
A very special & individual gong with a "spacey"
sound which takes the listener into other dimensions,
outer space, altered states of consciousness. We tend
to use this at the beginning of the gongbath to set
the scene for the sound journey. A deep resonant gong
with a rich tone which just gets better & better
with playing. Layer upon layer of harmonic tones take
you deeply within. Truly the music of the spheres!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Paiste Symphonic Gong 38"
Paiste's symphonic gong is their oldest version of
the instrument, & a good basis for the start of
a collection. Symphonic gongs are not tuned to a particular
note like planet gongs. The sound structure is universal.
The fundamental note of the gong is balanced with
the instruments' complex overtones, giving a rich
sound which builds layer upon layer of harmonics &
their offspring. This is a particularly wonderful
& powerful gong.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Paiste Planet Gong Sun 38"
Associated with both the Crown chakra & the Solar
Plexus, the Paiste Planet Sun gong is tuned to the
note B. It rules the astrological sign of Leo. This
gong has a warm, deep powerful sound like the rays
of the sun enveloping & enfolding us. Its' influence
on the 3rd (Solar Plexus) chakra can help to develop
dynamic will power, strengthen one's sense of purpose,
enhance energy, & build strength & endurance.
It will also have a positive effect on the organs
of that area. It also resonates the Crown centre at
the top of the head.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Paiste Planet Gong Pluto 36"
Planet Gongs resemble Symphonic Gongs in character,
but feature a strong fundamental note tuned to represent
a natural harmonic series based on the orbital properties
of the Sun, the Earth, the Moon and the other planets
as calculated by Hans Cousto. Planet Gongs resonate
harmonically with the cycles of the cosmos, communicating
to us what has been known since antiquity as the "music
of the spheres". Mysterious in sound color, Planet
Gongs convey an unusual atmosphere. The Pluto gong
is tuned to C#. Its' sound is deep & mysterious,
almost metallic. Pluto rules astrological sign Scorpio
& should be played to encourage regeneration,
transformation & integration. It gets those energies
moving!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Paiste Planet Gong
Saturn 32"
The Saturn gong is tuned to the note D, with many
complex harmonics arising from this fundamental note.
Saturn is associated with concentration & the
Concsiousness process. It brings Change & lessons!
The astrological
sign associated with Saturn is Capricorn. Listening
to the Saturn gong will help to summon prudence
& persistence, focus your discipline to achieve
a goal, & add more concentration to the process
of growth. This is a stunning gong with a beautiful
harmonic structure.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Paiste Platonic
year Gong 32"
Paiste's Platonic Year gong
is part of the Planet series of gongs. It is tuned
to the note F. The lower tones in this gong are haunting
& mysterious with a long sustain, while the higher
harmonics sound out like a peal of bells! A most interesting
gong which I often use in combination with the Symphonic
or the Universal as it adds such varied tone colour.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Paiste Symphonic Gong 28"
This symphonic gong is a beautiful instrument
which blends wonderfully with the larger 38"
symphonic gong as well as sounding powerfully on its'
own. The deep rich bass tone has a long sustain, with
some high bell-like overtones adding to the rich overall
sound.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Paiste Symphonic Gong 20"
Yet another, smaller, example of the original symphonic
gong by Paiste, this is a small & convenient size
for travelling & for using without the stand -
i.e. "walking the gong". A higher sound
due to its' smaller size, but still with the same
multi-layered harmonic structure.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Paiste Sound Creation No 3a Earth
Gong 32"
One of the larger of the Sound Creation series of
gongs, this is one of Paiste's most popular instruments.
In a survey, the majority of listeners said they preferred
the Earth gong to most others. The Earth gong has
a dark, unfathomable, mysterious quality, the multi-layered
tones foaming & swelling, yet dissolving peacefully.
It is for continuity, allowing, knowing & remembering
who we are. A gong which opens the heart :-)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Black Tai Loi Gong 28"
This deep but bright-sounding gong is a very sensitive
& powerful instrument. Incredibly resonant &
with a rich, deep tone, this gong is a masterpiece
of gong tuning. It has an all-encompassing unforgettable
sound which seems to shapeshift according to what
is needed. The sound is reminiscent of the symphonic
gong with its' rich texture & full harmonic soundscape.
A very special gong, this is one of my favourites
:-) The Chinese symbols on the front of the gong mean
: "happiness has arrived".
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
White Tai Loi Gong 28"
Earthy, elemental sound. This is reminiscent of
the Sound Creation Earth gong - dark & mysterious.
A very sensitive gong with a deep intense sound,
overlaid with interesting bell-like harmonics in the
higher register. The sound seems to expand further
& further, taking the listener into uncharted
territory. A beautiful looking gong with an unusual
& other-worldly sound.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Encouragement Gong
24"
This interesting & handsome gong, with its' Peacock-feather-type
design has an unusually deep tone for its' smaller
size. Masterfully tuned, this gong has a comprehensive
harmonic range & a hopeful, positive quality which
calms & encourages - hence we named it the Encouragement
gong :-)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Paiste Sound Creation
No 1 Sun Gong 23"
Sound Creation gongs have a particular sound character
which influences the emotions. The sound colours of
these gongs are very varied. This warm-sounding Sun
Gong is the first of the Paiste Sound Creation series.
It has a rising, softly structured slow sound which
is positive & supporting, continuously fading.
Radiating warmth & hope, this Gong is a unique
shape with its' double rim & lack of centre boss.
A powerful sound, often used in conjunction with several
of the larger Gongs.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Paiste Sound Creation No 4 Water
Gong 24"
The sound of this Gong represents energy moving,
& I often use it with the Pluto Gong, & for
sweeping over clients to cleanse & clear the energy
field at the end of a session. Depending on how it
is played, it can have a soft, round deep sound which
feels very still & infinite, or a more
concentrated, flowing, streaming dark frothy sound
which has a sweeping, flooding & clearing
effect, slowly fading & sinking. One of my favourite
Gongs!~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Paiste Sound Creation No 8 Therapy
Gong : Head 11"
The three Sound Creation therapy gongs numbers 8,
9 & 10 are a different shape to the other Sound
Creation gongs. They have a wider rim & a raised
central boss. They are struck in the centre of the
instrument. No.8, the smallest, has a harmonic, lasting
quality & an evenly fading bright tone. It is
used specifically to treat the head area.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Paiste Sound Creation No 9 Therapy
Gong : Chest 14"
The middle size of the three therapy gongs, this 14"
gong has a medium tone which is centred & penetrating.
It is used to treat the chest area.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Paiste Sound Creation No 10 Therapy
Gong : Abdomen 16"
This is the largest of the three Sound Creation therapy
gongs, used to treat the abdomen. It has a dark, deep
tone which is influencing & penetrating. Used
together these three therapy gongs are powerful energetic
healing instruments.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Teaching gong 22"
This gong is one we use in workshops specifically
for teaching purposes. I offer it to students to practise
on when we take the gongs off the stand & do the
"walking the gong" techniques - swinging
the gong, sweeping, whirling, etc. This gong is an
invaluable tool as it doesn't matter if a student
accidentally lets go or drops it!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
On the right are some of the mallets & other tools
we use to sound the gongs!