THE 4 TYPES OF PAISTE GONGS
Paiste gongs are seen as being some of the best quality gongs available in the modern western world. These Gongs have been used by some of the most respected orchestras and musicians across the western world.
Paiste produce both gongs and percussion instruments in Zurich, Switzerland, using a formula, which dates back to the Bronze Age. These Gongs are hand made by specialist-trained makers who adhere to ancient methods, techniques and recipes that create gongs, which produce sounds that are out of this world.
Paiste gongs create sounds, which link us to the very essence of the universe and connect us with the very core or our true nature, beyond our physical body and inherent existence. These gongs take us very comfortably and easily into an alpha-theta state of optimum healing and allow us to enter a deep state of consciousness that connects to creative communication.
Gongs sounds are almost indescribable. We can get the best understanding of the full capabilities of these amazing sound tools by listening to gongs live or on a well recorded CD.
It is believed that these sacred instruments link in with the energies of whales, who are thought to be the ancient caretakers of wisdom from our ancient past, dating back to the times of Lemuria and Atlantis. The sounds of the whales’ magnificence can be heard and connected with when listening to the symphonic gongs, and this ancient wisdom can be accessed when one is set free from grasping in the physical and swimming free in the infinite.
Paiste have produced a variety of gongs with specific sounds and energies as described below and these gongs are available in various sizes. There are 4 main types of Paiste gongs available
1. Symphonic gong:
Symphonic gongs are available in various sizes including: 20″, 22″, 24″, 26″, 28″, 30″, 32″, 34″, 36″ 38″, 40″, 50″, 60″, 80″. This is the oldest version of the Paiste gong, with slightly raised surface and harmonic of a universal sound structure. The fundamental note of the gong is balanced with the instrument’s complex overtones.
This is an excellent starting point for a gong collection as this Gong contains even proportions of various gong characteristics, which can be brought forth using different mallets and striking points. The Symphonic gongs feature some of the largest examples of the instrument such as the 80″, the world’s largest gong.
2. Accent / deco gongs:
These Gongs have a very focused sound compared to the Symphonic. They are available in 7/10/13/22″ sizes. Paiste also offers the Deco Gongs, which are a version of the Accent Gongs that come with a stand and are ideal for putting on display, or on a desk. The come in 7/10/13″ sizes, and formerly in 16″
The deco gong are produced by hand hammering, as are all the Paiste Gongs and are essentially a miniature Symphonic gong. The instrument produces a fascinating and wonderfully exotic sound. These are true gongs with complex harmonics and make a unique and decorative addition to a personal or musical environment.
3. Planet gongs:
Planet gongs are available in various sizes: 24″, 28″, 32″, 36″, 38″. They 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”.
The Planet Gongs each have the associated symbol at the centre of the gong.
The full range of planet gongs currently available is shown below, together with the properties that they simulate:
- Sun
For: endurance, strength, courage, will power, health
- Mercury
For communication, clear thinking, creativity
- Venus
For sensuality, love, abundance, completion
- Earth
For: relaxation, opening the heart, balance, alignment
- Mars
For energy, assertiveness, desire, action, initiative
- Jupiter
For trust, openness, abundance
- Saturn
For understanding, concentration, discipline
- Uranus
For spontaneity, fluidity, freedom, insight, moving on
- Neptune
For vision and inspiration, heightened awareness, mystical creativity
- Pluto
For integration, purification, letting go, dissolving the ego
- Chiron
For alchemy, vision, destiny, wisdom
- Sedna
For forgiveness, compassion, purging and purifying
- Nibiru
For evolution, travel, change, resolution
Also available:
- Moon Synodic (new moon)
For receptivity, enhanced intuition, emotional balance
- Moon Sidereal (full moon)
For emotional balance, inner self, interaction, protection
- Platonic Year
For completion, perfection, serenity
- Sidereal Earth Day
For vitality, flow, balance, wisdom, experience
The sizes, pitches and frequencies of the fundamental notes of the planet gongs are shown below:
- 38″ Sun B 126.27 Hz
- 38″ Sedna C 128.10 Hz
- 38″ Earth C# 136.10 Hz
- 36″ Pluto C# 140.25 Hz
- 32″ Mercury C# 141.27 Hz
- 32″ Mars D 144.72 Hz
- 32″ Saturn D 147.85 Hz
- 32″ Chiron D# 151.27 Hz
- 32″ Nibiru E 161.26 Hz
- 30″ Platonic Year F 172.06 Hz
- 28″ Jupiter F# 183.58 Hz
- 28″ Sideral Day G 194.71 Hz
- 24″ Uranus G# 207.36 Hz
- 24″ Synodic Moon G# 210.42 Hz
- 24″ Neptune G# 211.44 Hz
- 24″ Venus A 221.23 Hz
- 24″ Siderial Moon A# 227.43 Hz
4. Sound Creation Gongs
Originally introduced as a set of 10 special Proto Gongs in 1978, they were later renamed Sound Creation. These Gongs had unique sound properties: Sun, Moon, Earth, Water, Fire, Fight, Peace, and 3 Chakras (head/chest/abdomen) and explored new realms in sound. They are mysterious, esoteric, and unimaginable.
Currently, Paiste only offers the Earth (in 4 sizes) and the 3 Chakra Gongs.
The Sound Creation Gongs together with their sizes, sound qualities and associations are shown below:
- Sun – morning/beginning – 22″ – Sound: warm, radiating bell-like tone.
Character: opening, warming, hopeful, rising.
- Fire – rest/aggression – 20″ – Sound: warm, with dark to piercing highs.
Character: warm, soothing to aggressive, destructive.
- Earth – continuity – 22″ – Sound: unfathomable and dark, with swelling highs.
Character: mysterious, knowing, kind, unfathomable.
- Water Energy – 26″, 32″, 38″, 60″ -Sound: soft/dark to streaming-dark with frothy highs. Character: Soothing, infinite to sweeping, cleansing.
- Peace/ tolerance – 22″ -Sound: soft lows, layered highs.
Character: balancing, harmonizing, supportive.
- Moon evening-ending – 24″ – Sound: deep, dark bell-like tone with bright nucleus. Character: gathering, shielding, forgiving, declining.
- Fight /confrontation – 22″ – Sound: threateningly dark, bright and towering.
Character: challenging, threatening discomforting.
- Chakra head, chest, abdomen – 11″, 14″, 16″ -Sound: bundled, sustained bell-like tone.
Character: influencing, penetrating, harmonic, lasting.