How to Buy a Gong

Gongs have long been a glorious addition to our ears. Their rich tones have signified everything from the opening of a ceremony to the closing of an evening. You can also go in or out of a deep meditation, using the gong for spiritual practices. Prices range from less than $10 into the thousands and their sounds and sizes are just as varied.

Things You'll Need

• Directory of gong outlets
• Sample sounds
• Place to put the gong
• Stand (optional)
• Mallet

Instructions

1. Figure out where you want it. Small gongs can sit on top of your desk. Medium gongs work well in hallways or bedrooms. Very large gongs could be a grand addition to your yard or patio. Wherever you want the gong, you are going to have to dedicate enough space to leave some room surrounding it. Don’t cram a gong into a corner or against a wall somewhere. Pick an area that does it justice.

2. Decide what you will use it for. Meditation ceremonies often go well with light, lilting gong sounds. Heavy deep gongs are awesome for announcing guests entering the home. Medium-pitched gongs can be used for a dinner bell to call your family home. Maybe you need a highly versatile gong to accompany your garage band. If you have no specific use in mind, pick one that simply suits your ears’ fancy.

3. Find a place to buy it. Check listings of stores that sell musical instruments, spiritual items such as Tibetan bells, incense and other meditation supplies. Other outlets specialize specifically in gongs. You can also find artists who make gongs. Ask around at the music, meditation and spiritual shops if they don’t carry what you seek.

4. Listen. Once you’ve found a place that has an array of gongs, test them. Some online stores have recordings of the various gongs they offer if you can’t visit the gongs to listen in person. If an online or faraway shop doesn’t offer recordings, ask them to email you a digital recording of some of the gongs that caught your eye.

5. Get a stand if you need one. Once you’ve selected your ideal gong, make sure you have a place to secure it. Buy a stand if needed. Otherwise, you can hang a gong from a tree limb, shelving unit or even the ceiling. Just make sure your hanging place is strong enough to support the gong and any motion the gong will make swinging back and forth when you strike it.

6. Invest in gong accessories. You can have the best gong in the world but it won’t do you much good unless you also have a quality mallet. You can often find mallets at the same place you got the gong. If not, check other instrument stores for gong mallets. Test the mallet with the gong you are buying if possible. You might also want to purchase a bronze, brass or metal protector or polish to keep your gong in tip-top shape. These can be found at hardware or home stores.

Tips & Warnings

• Some pets may initially be scared of the gong sound. Give them treats every time you sound the gong so they learn the gong will not hurt them.

• Secure the gong with very tough rope or chain. Replace if it starts to bend or fray. You don’t need the gong to fall and dent your floor or someone’s head.

Resources

• Variety of gongs and sample sounds
• Gongs geared for percussion
• Gongs geared for meditation