In the world of gongs there are two main types, suspended gongs and bowl gongs. Both have been made and played for more than a millennium. Bowl gongs are also called singing bowls or meditation bowls. Tibet is considered the home of the bowl gong. Suspended gongs are often just called gongs. The title Suspended comes from the fact that they usually have a rope attached to them that allows them to be suspended from a stand or players hand. China is considered the place where the suspended gong was first made. Thus, it is no surprise that the Chinese gongs are considered the best in the world and Tibetan bowls are considered the best playing and meditative bowls.

Artdrum.com carries the full line of Wuhan, Sabian and Paiste suspended gongs. We offer the best suspended gongs available and at discount prices.

Types of Suspended Gongs

There are many types of suspended gongs. The following are the types of Suspended gongs available at Artdrum.

Planet Gongs

Planet gongs are possibly the most refined gongs made. They are tuned gongs and the tuning of each gong is based on the fundemental frequence of a given planet or celestial body. The calculations for the frequency of each planet are based on the work of Hans Cousto, a renowned mathematician. Thus, Paiste's "Earth" gong is tuned to C sharp because Earth itself has been calculated to have a fundemental frequency of C sharp. Planet gongs are ideal sound healing instruments. Their frequency and harmonic overtones will harmonize and resonate with players and listeners to bring about sound-message.

Paiste manufactures 14 different planet gongs, including the Earth, Sun & Moon. The sizes range from 24 to 38 inches and the price range is from about $800 to $2800.

Sound Creation Gongs Are also a specialized gong by Paiste which produce a warm, radiating bell-like sound. Each of the 13 Sound Creation gongs produces it's own special atmosphere but overall the Sound Creations yield an atmosphere characterized by warming, opening, rising & hope.

Sound Creation Gongs by Paiste range in size from 11 to 60 inches and range in price from about $850 to $16,000.

Symphonic Gongs

Paiste Symphonic Gong - Paiste Symphonic gongs have clear fundamental tones with rich overtones. They are beautiful musical instruments, which are extremely effective for sound healing. They are the gong of choice for Kundalini yoga practitioners and many sound therapists.

Sabian Symphonic Gongs - The Sabian Symphonic gong has dynamic harmonics, with a strong fundamental tone. It is commonly used by musicians in live performance and the studio. Furthermore, it's warm tones and beautiful harmonics make it popular for mediation, yoga & sound therapy.

Chau/Chinese Gongs

Wuhan Chau Gong; Sabian Chinese Gong

The Chau gong is probably the most familiar type of gong to Westerners. The chau is also called the Bullseye gong or Chinese gong. Also, large Chau gongs are also sometimes called Tam-tams (not to be confused with tom-toms or tambourines).

The metals the are used for chau gongs is typically a copper-based alloy with some bronze or brass. The Chau has a small lip and forms a shallow dish or cylinder. A ten inch chau for example has a lip of about half an inch. The lip of a forty inch chau can be two inches.

The face of the gong is slightly concave. A black copper oxide coats the center (Bullseye) and the rim & lip. This coat is on the entire gong until the manufacturer polishes the regions it chooses. Chau gongs range in size from 7" to 80" in diameter.

Contemporary composers sometimes use chau - and various other - gongs. The composer, Karlheinz Stockhausen "used a 60 inch tam-tam in his Mikrophonie #1.

Traditionally, chau gongs were used to clear the way for important officials and processions, much like a police siren today. Sometimes the number of strokes on the gong was used to indicate the seniority of the official. In this way, two officials meeting unexpectedly on the road would know before the meeting which of them should bow down before the other.

Wind Gong

wind gong

The wind gong is a flat, suspended gong that has strong reverberation and a shimmering sound. It ranges from 7 - 40 inches though the most popular sides manufactured and sold are 10 - 28 inches. It's a thin gong, less than a quarter inch.

When it is played, it is typically hung on a stand and struck by a mallet.

Traditionally, a wind gong is played with a large soft mallet, which gives a completely different sound to a drumstick.

Zodiac Gongs (Click for description)

zodiac gong

Thundersheet

The Thundersheet is unique musical instrument among the already unique family of gongs. Sabian created the Thundersheet to enable musicians to create various intense sounds. As one may expect the Thundersheet emulates the sound of thunder and is in itself a force of nature. The Thundersheet is finished slice of raw bronze; ideal for effects and crescendos, which, as mentioned, can achieve the simulation of thunder. It is an exciting & unique addition to drum & percussion setups; bands & ensembles.

Opera Gong

The Chinese opera is the traditional setting for Opera gongs. Opera gongs are ascending and descending gongs. Ascending means the pitch bends from low to high when the gong is struck. Descending means the pitch bends from high to low when the gong is struck. Often an ascending and descending played together. Each one may have it's parts. For instance, in a Chinese opera the large (descending) one is typically used to introduce pivotal players or emphasize particular points in a drama. The smaller (ascending) gong is used to announce the entry of lesser players, and to identify points of humor.

Opera gongs are relatively small gongs. Manufacturers typically make them from 7 to 12 inches in diameter. Still don't let the size surprise you - they can still sing loudly.

Tiger Gong

Tiger gongs have the ability to roar & growl like a tiger. Yet they also can be mellow - like a kitten. They rarely if ever are larger than 15 inches in diameter. The tiger gong is an excellent musical gong, especially for those players and groups that like to produces exciting effects.

The tiger gong can be struck any to produce musically sounds or effects. Some gongs only have a small region for striking. But the tiger gong's entire surface, and even the sides and back, can be used to make pleasing & interesting sounds. Here's some more details for the sound that a tiger gong produces.

Anatomy of Tiger Gong: The tiger gong can divided in to Three Primary Striking Regions:

1. Bull's-eye: Located in the very center of the gong; produces a classic, authentic "GONG" sound with slight overtones; warm & slightly crashy; great sustaining power

2. Center: The protruding middle section of gong, except bull's-eye; produces a spectrum of overtones; great sustaining power; higher pitched than bull's-eye; produces excellent subtlety of tones & a pallet of notes & effects

3. Outer Ring: Vibrates strong and can produce cymbal-like sounds & overtones.

Rhythms and musical patterns can be played effectively on more or more of the three regions.

Bao & Nipple Gong

The center of the Bao (pronounced: bow) is raised like a hill or mountain from the face of the gong. Gongs that have raised centers are called nipple gongs. Nipple gongs are sometimes tuned, however our Bao gongs not tuned to a particular key. Nipple gongs are typically manufactured in relatively small sizes and our Baos are available in 12, 14, 16 and 18" diameters.

The metal of a Bao is thicker than that of a wind and like a chau gong the bao has a lip (on the edge of the gong).

The Bao is traditionally considered a "sacred" gong; and is used in temples. Yet it many strong musical qualities, beginning with it's pleasing, clear tone.

The Bao gong produces a strong, clear, primary note. Due to it's shape, form & relatively thick metal it does not produce many over tones like many of our other gongs, such as the chau, tiger, wind, symphonic, Planet or Sound Creation. Still, the 16 and 18" Baos have full sounds and the combination of any two sizes is rich and outstanding!

Pasi Gong

Our Pasi (pah-see) gongs, as with our chaus, baos, tiger, oper and wind gongs are made by Wuhan. All Wuhan gongs are made of 80% copper and 20% tin.

The Pasi gong has flat face and small lip (on edge), which produces long sustaining tones, many overtones & excellent crashy effects. It is effective for musical settings as well as mediation. The Pasi is very sensitive to the touch and plays beautifully at soft or loud volumes. Because it's long sustaining tones and good volume it is traditionally used to make announcements, like at the start of a performance such as a play, the circus or musical performance.

The Pasi is most similar to our Chau gongs. In comparing the 15" Wuah Pasi to the 15" Wuhan Chau, we prefer the Pasi because has slightly more resonance and slightly more overtones. In comparing the 15" Pasi with the 18" Chau we prefer the 18" Chau because the larger size makes it have more resonance and overtones. Plus, the larger gong has a deeper bass. Our Pasi gongs range in size from 10 to 15 inches.

Tibetan Gong

Our Tibetan gongs are made in Tibet. They are flat shaped gongs with no lips.

Gongs for Sale

Paiste Gongs

Sabian Gongs

Wuhan & Chinese Gongs

Accessories

Gongs Lessons

Outline and descriptions of traditional suspended gongs

Drum & Percussion Lessons

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