Gongs, Singing Bowls & Bells 3

[TheRobTynanProject]

A magnificent performance, Frank. You certainly bring to life the music of the universe in its purest form. Pythagoras would have been proud. Namaste.

[mountainbellmusic]

@TheRobTynanProject Actually I recall a past life when I studied under the great man - my spiritual teachers in this life confirmed this also without my asking. On a week retreat in the early 70s I heard the Master playing music during the daily meditation and the head of the organisation commented upon the music afterwards on the days she was present leading us. It was wonderful and the peach fruit from him was bliss itself.

[lamarjibaba]

I really enjoy your method, I have over 80 gongs, bowl and other percussion which I do shows and recordings here in New Mexico. Looks like you have worked for many years, I am really impressed with your collection! Cheers. Lamar, You are an inspiration, good work bro!!!

[mountainbellmusic]

@lamarjibaba Hi. Thank you for your words. I got my first gong in 1968 and first bowls in 1971 - so, yes, I've been doing this thing for many years now, over 40 years. Glad to share the inspiration bro.

[lamarjibaba]

I really enjoy your method, I have over 80 gongs, bowl and other percussion which I do shows and recordings here in New Mexico. Looks like you have worked for many years, I am really impressed with your collection! Cheers. Lamar

[djeome]

Wonderful I hope to get to attend a workshop of yours one day!

[mikeroephonics]

The sound is amazing! Have you ever considered sampling your instruments for use in something like Kontakt or GigaStudio? It could be interesting. You have an incredible variety here! Thanks!

[mountainbellmusic]

@mikeroephonics Can't say as I've considered it. Some of my sounds are sacred and I'd not want them treated as mere sound/noise. I work with sound in a different way - I work from inside the sounds and not ON them - as most musicians. I work with knowledge of what they do and the thought of anyone messing with these sounds is hard for me. I invented some of these instruments and they reflect my unfoldment arising from my direction so I understand them. Probably won't happen. Thanks.

[amourdutigre]

I need to find one of those bowl chimes.

I practice meditation, and complex yet gentle tone would be wonderful to start a meditation session with.

BTW, are some of your hanging gongs made of an iron or steel? Believe it or not, when I was a kid, I used to make something that looked similar out of barrel heads... I would soften the steel in the center with a torch, hammer a cup into it, then heat the whole thing to red heat and cool in ice water.

They had sorta dark tone.

Peace,

ADT

[mountainbellmusic]

None of the instruments are made of iron or steel. The vast majority are of bronze or bell metal - basically 80% copper and 20% tin with variations thereof plus some trace elements. Some percussionists even use certain saucepan lids for a unique sound. Lou Harrison had a gamelan made from aluminium squares with a dome beaten out and tuned to Just Intonation scales. Anything resonant in the right shape should give an interesting sound..

[mountainbellmusic]

Second thoughts - the Japanese Densho could be made of cast iron - without breaking them it's hard to tell but they are cast and their colouring is not bronze.

[amourdutigre]

Hi Mountainbellmusic,

would a magnet tell if they were iron?

I do love the sounds you get, and they even sound good on youtube.

Peace

ADT

[BlindAspie]

I personally find this kind of music to be useful as a prelude to deep relaxation. I know neither how nor why, but I do know that it seems to bring my mind more in tune and balance, always has from what I can remember. Even when I was a kid, listening to the big old metal pipe chimes out back put me right to sleep, though I later learned to turn sleep into more productive relaxation and/or meditation excersises. It still took years before I could truly relax though.\

[wellwalk18]

I think that he is listening intently - so it's more of a meditation than entertainment. Nice to have the speedier section on those discs and then the kind of rhythmelodic section on the little Buddha bells. Sounds joyful even if he looks serious - actually I'm not sure he's there! Maybe he's like some old shaman with a modern kit? Those ancient-looking bells look and sound great too. Keep up the good work!

[MKAskina]

Theres depth in those sounds

[otacon451]

audio compression doesnt do them justice

[mountainbellmusic]

That is true. Of course via the web one must use MP3. I have used a good system. The best is to hear in person - otherwise there's a hundred or so CDs of my music to hear in better quality. Thankyou.