Gong Volume

Volume is something that has been coming up a lot lately in my workshops, and in questions from my students. It’s an interesting and sometimes tricky subject, and one that really needs to be put out there for discussion. So I’m going to tackle it here.

Many of the gongs I use are large high quality gongs made principally by the Paiste company, as well as the Broder Oetken and Meinl gongs (also made by Broder). By large, I mean most of the gongs at my workshops will be over 32” in diameter, and some are up to 40”. We do of course use smaller gongs too. The large gongs are, therefore, capable of enormous volumes of sound. There is a huge amount of power in a large gong. However, I never use the full volume of a large gong – bringing it right up to “the flame” (white noise) - it just is not necessary. I rarely take the sound over 70% of the volume that the gong is capable of. Occasionally – only once during a course – I may demonstrate to my students bringing the volume up to the flame, or almost, so that they know how it feels. It is a very sacred and profound experience, and not to be done lightly, or for showy or theatrical effect – that’s just not appropriate. The gong is an ancient sacred healing instrument capable of enormous transformatory power, and needs to be treated with respect and reverence at all times, befitting its status. In all the years I have been playing, I have probably used the flame in performance or gongbath situations maybe only 6 times, when it felt right.

We just don’t need to use the whole volume of a large gong – a symphonic for instance - which has the broadest range of tones. If the gong is played sensitively and well – building up the layers of sound gradually and allowing the gong sound to blossom in its own way and time - we will have copious layers of healing overtones and harmonics produced without needing to bring the volume up high. It’s all in the way the gong is played. We can do great healing work at lower volumes, if we play it in the right way and with a respectful attitude, gradually coaxing out the layers of sound. A slow build-up can be incredibly powerful and dramatic if it is done gradually over several minutes or longer. Waves of rising and falling sound can be produced in this way too. Obviously we need a certain amount of volume in order to achieve the many layers of sound that can be brought out of the gong by sensitive playing, but it should not be overdone. Taking time to build up the sound and bring in the many layers is a skill, and one which does not come overnight. It takes practise, and we get better at it the more we do. And we always need to remember that the gong is in charge – we are just there facilitating. The gong is not to be played from the ego – that allows no room for the natural flow which happens spontaneously when we let the gong lead us. The gong produces the sounds that are needed, and rarely, if ever, will the gong need to be brought up to anything like full volume. If done insensitively or suddenly, this can be shocking and traumatic.

The size of the space we are using, and the proximity of the attendees, also needs to be taken into account when discussing volume. If you are playing outside for instance, higher volumes are necessary as the sound has a larger space to fill – an infinite one in fact. In a large inside space, like a concert hall or church, higher volumes are needed to fill the space. Conversely, in a small inside space more care is needed, so as not to overwhelm those listening with too much sound. If your client is placed right next to the gongs, even more care is required, especially near the head and ears. And with new clients who haven’t experienced the gongs before (always ask before starting if anyone is new to the gong), more care is needed. Sensitivity and adapting to the situation is the key.

Just a word about playing the gong in the centre. To me (and this is only my personal take on this subject – others may have a different view) the centre is the heart of the gong, and is hallowed ground – a sacred space. I rarely play in the centre for this reason, and feel it’s not really appropriate. The main playing area – on a Paiste gong this is the scraped part, and the rim - offer ample opportunities to make a hugely varied range of sounds (also using a variety of mallets) without needing to play in the centre.

I hope that’s been of some help and answered some of the questions that have come up about this very important topic of gong volume.

Sheila Whittaker 22.9.15