Gongs - all about sound, frequencies and tones

The gong is a very traditional musical instrument that has a firm place in many cultures around the world. What laymen often don't know: It is varied and versatile when it comes to the different sound frequencies. However, the gong is often underestimated. When people think of the sounds of a gong, they often only imagine a low humming sound. In reality, however, the tones and frequencies of the gong depend primarily on where exactly you place the mallet and which gong mallet you use. The shape, structure and type of gong also have a major influence on its sound. We would like to show you which gong frequencies and gong sounds are available, what makes them possible and how gong music can enrich your everyday life.

Feel the sounds and frequencies of the gong

When you play a gong, the often deep and sensual sound takes over the entire room. The energy emanating from the powerful vibrations also penetrates your body due to the different frequencies of the gong - and thus triggers the meditative and calming feeling that makes this mystical instrument play such an important role in many cultures. Suddenly it is easy for you to fully engage with the sounds and feel how the rhythm takes over your thoughts. We perceive the sound of the gong as one of the so-called primal tones, like a sound that we seem to have known since the beginning of life. There is a very apt quote from Yogi Bajhan, one of the most famous gong players in the world: "The Gong is not sound - the Gong is resound." - Translated colloquially, this means that the gong is not just a sound that you can hear with your ears, but above all a sound that resonates in time with your inner voice. And this is exactly what makes playing with the gong so special: you reach deep feelings and needs that you would not have access to without the calming frequencies of the gong and explore completely new worlds of sound.

Gong frequencies and chakras

Which frequencies you use with your Gong playing also depends on whether you want to address a specific chakra. Olli Hess has developed a separate Gong Mallet which is specially designed to meet the needs of your chakras. If you would like to find out more about the frequencies of chakras, you can take a look at our blog post on the Chakra Sound and meditation throw.

What sound frequencies does the gong allow?

The frequency your gong reaches naturally depends on several factors. First of all, it depends on the choice of gong. The humpback gong has a clearly defined pitch, which sounds different on the side edges than on the low hump, which is in the middle of the gong. Here you have the choice between brighter tones, which are produced with the mallet at the edges, and a deep, Om-like tone, which is produced in the center of the hump. The situation is different with the flat tam-tam gong, which also reaches different frequencies, but draws its variety primarily from the subtleties of the sounds. Which gong tones are produced by the sound play naturally always depends on the mallet used. The requirements are correspondingly high: a gong mallet or Friction Mallets should always be adapted to the type of gong. The width of the head and the length of the mallet vary the tones that are produced when struck with the mallet. And of course the material used for the gong mallet also plays a very important role. It is therefore important to choose quality when buying a gong mallet, as this is the only way to achieve the variety of sounds that makes playing the gong so unique.

Which mallet produces the most beautiful gong tones?

For particularly deep sounds, a very large gong mallet is used, as can also be found in our range. Here, for example, the Professional Gong Mallet L815 which is one of the heaviest mallets in our range, but is still easy and pleasant to handle. Thanks to its above-average size, this gong mallet can also be used to reach the lowest and most sensual frequencies on the gong. The soft rubber head conjures up warm and deep tones and is ideal for playing sounds on a large gong. Also a practical idea: opt for a Professional Gong Mallet Setthat opens up the whole world of sounds to you. Our mallet sets include up to four different mallets, with which you can play the gong and singing bowl in equal measure. This allows you to achieve clear, delicate tones as well as deep and voluminous frequencies.

Gong frequencies in numbers - your gong reaches these dimensions

The frequencies reached by a gong always depend on its individual design and the choice of mallet. However, most gongs reach very low and voluminous frequencies, often exceeding 100 Hz. Basically, the larger a gong is, the richer the frequency range that can be played. The tones that arise at the edge of a gong are always much higher and lighter than the low tones that can be played in the middle of a gong. The shape of the gong also has a significant influence on the frequency that can be played. The ollihess Gong "Sadja" with 36 inch Diameter is a gong that is very rich in overtones. The special feature of this earth gong is that the listener immediately develops the feeling of being directly connected to the earth and can feel the slow orbits of the sun. This type of gong has been used in sound magic rituals for thousands of years and plays a particularly important role in Indian culture. The frequency of the Sadja Gong 36 inch averages between 130 and 140 Hz. The counterpart to this is the ollihess Gong Wega with 40 inch is a very good choice, as it produces a rather spherical sound that represents cosmic rhythms. The special depth of this gong also lies in the overtone spectrum, so that tones, vibrations, frequencies and energy are immediately projected onto the listener.

Audio samples - immerse yourself in the world of gong sounds

The purchase of a gong should be carefully considered, as every chime is unique. It is therefore always worth exploring the exciting interplay of frequencies in more detail beforehand with a gong sound sample. The intensity that the sound energy triggers in our body is only transmitted to a limited extent in a recorded sound sample - but you can still get a first impression this way. For the Flat gong Sadja 40 inch we have already prepared a 5-minute gong audio sample for you here. Dive deep into the world of earth sounds and let your feelings run free while you feel the vibrations of the earth on your own body.