THE 4 TYPES OF PAISTE GONGS
Paiste gongs are considered to be 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 in the Western world.
Paiste produces gongs and percussion instruments in Zurich, Switzerland, using a formula that dates back to the Bronze Age. These gongs are handcrafted 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 that link us to the very essence of the universe and connect us to the very core of our true nature, beyond our physical body and inherent existence. These gongs bring us very comfortably and easily to an alpha-theta state of optimal healing and allow us to enter a deep state of consciousness that connects with creative communication.
The sounds of the gong 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.
These sacred instruments are believed to link with the energies of the whales, who are believed to be the ancient wisdom keepers of our remote past, dating back to the times of Lemuria and Atlantis. The sounds of whales’ magnificence can be heard and connected when the symphonic gongs are played, and this ancient wisdom can be accessed when one breaks free from clinging to the physical and swims freely in infinity.
Paiste has 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 a slightly raised surface and harmonics of a universal sound structure. The root note of the gong is balanced by the complex harmonics of the instrument.
This is an excellent starting point for a collection of gongs, as this gong contains even proportions of various gong characteristics, which can be produced using different mallets and impact points. Symphonic gongs feature some of the largest examples of the instrument, such as the 80″, the world’s largest gong.
2. Accent/Decoration Gongs:
These Gongs have a very focused sound compared to the Symphonic. Available in 7/10/13/22″ sizes. Paiste also offers Deco Gongs, which are a version of the Accent Gongs that come with a stand and are great for display or on a desk. Entry Gongs 7/10/13″ and previously in 16″
The decorative gongs are produced by hand hammering, like all 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 setting.
3. Planetary Gongs:
Planet gongs are available in various sizes: 24″, 28″, 32″, 36″, 38″. They resemble symphonic gongs, but have a strong root note tuned to represent a natural harmonic series based on the orbital properties of the Sun, Earth, Moon and the other planets calculated by Hans Cousto, the Planet Gongs resonate in harmony with the cycles of the cosmos, communicating to us what has been known since ancient times as the “music of the spheres”.
Each of the Planet Gongs has the associated symbol in the center of the gong.
Below is the full range of planet gongs currently available, along with the properties they simulate:
- Sun
For: endurance, strength, courage, willpower, health
- Mercury
For communication, clear thinking, creativity.
- Venus
For sensuality, love, abundance, fullness
- Land
For: relaxation, heart opening, balance, alignment
- March
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, release, dissolve the ego
- chiron
For alchemy, vision, destiny, wisdom
- thirsty
For forgiveness, compassion, purging and purification
- Nibiru
For evolution, travel, change, resolution
Also available:
- Synodic Moon (new moon)
For receptivity, enhanced intuition, emotional balance
- sidereal moon (full moon)
For emotional balance, inner self, interaction, protection
- platonic year
For completion, perfection, serenity
- sidereal earth day
For vitality, fluidity, balance, wisdom, experience.
The sizes, heights and frequencies of the fundamental notes of the planetary gongs are shown below:
- Sun B 38″ 126.27Hz
- 38″ Sedna C 128.10Hz
- 38″ Earth C# 136.10Hz
- 36″ Pluto C# 140.25Hz
- 32″ Mercury C# 141.27Hz
- 32″ March D 144.72Hz
- 32″ Saturn D 147.85Hz
- 32″ Chiron D# 151.27Hz
- 32″ Nibiru E 161.26Hz
- 30″ Platonic Year F 172.06Hz
- 28″ Jupiter F# 183.58Hz
- 28″ Sidereal G-Day 194.71Hz
- 24″ Uranus Sun# 207.36Hz
- 24″ Synodic Moon Sun# 210.42Hz
- 24″ Neptune G# 211.44Hz
- 24″ Venus A 221.23Hz
- 24″ Siderial Luna A# 227.43Hz
4. Sound creation gongs
Originally presented as a set of 10 specials. 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.
Paiste currently only offers the Earth (in 4 sizes) and the 3 Chakra Gongs.
The sound-creating gongs along with their sizes, sound qualities, and associations are shown below:
- Sun – morning/beginning – 22″ – Sound: warm, radiant bell tone.
Character: openness, warm-up, hope, rise.
- Fire – rest/aggression – 20″ – Sound: warm, with dark to penetrating highs.
Character: warm, calming to aggressive, destructive.
- Earth – continuity – 22″ – Sound: unfathomable and dark, with rising highs.
Character: mysterious, knowledgeable, kind, unfathomable.
- Water Energy – 26″, 32″, 38″, 60″ -Sound: soft/dark to streaming-dark with sparkling highs. Character: Soothing, endless sweeping, cleansing.
- Peace/Forbearance – 22″ -Sound: smooth bass, layered treble.
Character: balancer, harmonizer, supportive.
- Late Moon Afternoon – 24″ – Sound: Deep, dark, bell-like tone with a bright core. Character: gather, protect, forgive, decline.
- Fight/Showdown – 22″ – Sound: menacingly dark, bright and imposing.
Character: defiant, threatening discomfort.
- Head, Chest, Abdomen Chakra – 11″, 14″, 16″ -Sound: grouped, sustained, like a bell tone.
Character: influential, penetrating, harmonious, long-lasting.