Playing the Gong: Instructions

Whether you are practicing alone or for a group, you should make some preparations before you start playing the gong. This allows the full sound of your instrument to unfold unhindered, and you or your participants can fully engage in the experience.

Placement of the Gong

To allow the sound waves of your gong to unfold as purely as possible, you should carefully choose the room and the exact location for your instrument. The sound waves that unfold during gong playing are influenced by the size of the room and other objects in it.

Sound reflections, which are not always easy to perceive, can change the original sound quality of your gong by, for example, prolonging the sound or coloring it differently. Some surfaces also absorb the sound. For example, curtains or carpets can dampen high frequencies, and cavity walls can absorb low frequencies.

Selection of the Mallet

Another must-have for your sound practice is the right gong mallet. You'll achieve the best results with a high-quality mallet or gong mallet that is tailored to the size and type of your gong, as well as the desired sound frequency. There are a number of different types of mallets – the basic rule is: the larger your gong, the larger the mallet you should use.

High-quality gong mallets, like the ones you find in our shop, produce little or no striking noise – this has an enormous impact on the sound experience. When choosing your mallet or friction mallet, in addition to your individual needs, pay particular attention to the materials used and the weight. If in doubt, always seek advice from an expert.

Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, you should take plenty of time to explore the different areas of your gong. Over time, you will gain more and more control over the volume and rhythm and find yourself more and more in intuitive playing.

"Warming up" the gong

Many gong players warm up the gong before they start playing. Before striking, the gong is tapped very lightly a few times with a mallet. The tapping should be relatively inaudible. This procedure is said to make the sound brighter overall.

Gong striking techniques

As an experienced player, you will continue to expand your playing techniques: Experiment with different striking points, single and combination strikes. To deepen your practice further, you can also try your hand at hand-held gongs in addition to hanging gongs.

The larger the gong, the more important an understanding of precise striking is. At the Peter Hess® Institute you will not only learn how to build up different playing sequences, but the training courses also teach you the holistic and valuable work in sound therapy and sound massage.

Instructions: How do I rub a gong?

Rubbing a gong with a gong friction mallet creates gentle to rousing sounds. The gong is set in vibration and unfolds long-lasting tones. The resulting sound is reminiscent of the sung mantra "Om" or even whale and dolphin song.

With this technique, the friction mallet is carefully guided in a circle over the surface, setting the gong in gentle vibrations. The longer you rub, the stronger the tone that is produced. Rubbing is carried out with only light pressure.

The technique of rubbing requires a little more experience than striking the gong. As an advanced player, the best way to learn is through experimentation: explore the three gong playing zones and perceive the difference in the tones. You can also use your fingertips when playing. With a little practice and the right pressure, you can create very different timbres.

Caution: During pregnancy and in case of acute physical or psychological complaints, please only use after consulting your doctor.

Within the Peter Hess® Sound Massage and Peter Hess® Sound Methods, there are numerous sound elements and sound settings in which the TamTam Gong and the Feng Gong are used.

A sound setting refers to the environment in which you practice your sound practice with your sound instrument.

For example, in the Peter Hess® sound education developed by Peter and Emily Hess, there is a setting called "Dance of Life" that uses four TamTam Gongs.

In addition, gongs form an important element for fantasy and sound journeys, sound meditations or concerts. Peter Gabis' meditative sound moods with gongs and Singing Bowls, for example, give a wonderful impression of this. You can experience how the sounds combine to form a river when listening to his CD Pravaaha or in the short video.

The main areas of application for the gong:

• Sound massages and sound methods
• Sound meditations
• Sound and imagery journeys
• Concerts

The sound of the gong can help you or your participants reduce stress and find inner peace and balance. To really make this work, you should already have some experience playing the gong and be very familiar with your instrument. The less you have to concentrate on handling the gong during the gong meditation, the more you can focus on your own sensations or the guidance of your meditation group.

Preparing the space

Prepare the room where the sound meditation is to take place with mindfulness. There should be a pleasant atmosphere and a comfortable climate. Ventilate the room for a few minutes before you begin and set up the place from which you will play well. Perhaps you have a meditation cushion and play while sitting; or your gong allows you to play while standing or moving. You may also play your instrument outside in nature.

Ensuring silence

Whether you play indoors or outdoors, make sure there is silence in your chosen location. The less distraction from everyday noises, the more you or your participants can focus on the sound experience.

Initiate meditation

Start with breathing exercises to arrive completely with yourself and at the scene. If you are practicing only for yourself, find a comfortable seat or lie on your back in Shavasana for a few minutes to tune in to your practice. If you are playing for others, a breathing meditation can serve to optimally prepare your participants for the effect of the vibrations of the gong.

Once you have calmed down, you can slowly start playing the gong with the mallet or friction mallet. Start with gentle sounds and increase the intensity towards the middle of the meditation. Try to keep your eyes closed as much as possible or ask your participants to do so at the beginning. In this way, the focus can be fully directed to the penetrating sound experience.

Addressing specific body regions

Different frequencies address different regions or energy fields of the body. For example, warm and bright tones better address the heart area or the head, while deep tones primarily address the lower abdomen and lower back.

Each energy center in the body is assigned a special frequency or tone. Depending on which tradition you follow, the information varies somewhat and different frequencies and thus tones are assigned. Here too, it is good advice to listen to your own feelings and experiment with the sounds.

Caution: During pregnancy and in case of acute physical or psychological complaints, please only use after consulting your doctor.

The sound massage with a gong can support the self-healing powers of people who are in medical or therapeutic treatment, or those who want to do something specifically for their health.

The relaxation and harmonization of soul, mind and body can contribute to strengthening human health. The spherical vibrations set every cell of the body in vibration and leave a delicate tingling and clarity and vitality even hours after the experience.

During the sound massage, the gong is placed in a location in the room where the sound can best unfold and penetrate the body down to the cellular level. The sound practitioner uses a specific playing technique that generates different frequencies and intensities, thereby addressing different regions of the body. If the meditation completely dispenses with Singing Bowls and works exclusively with gongs, several gongs are usually used. They are placed in the room around the person's body and played one after the other.