The unmistakable sound of the gong has held spiritual significance in Southeast Asia for centuries. Hand-beaten from sheet materials, the labor-intensive shaping and delicate paintwork result in beautiful percussive instruments. Souvenir gongs can be bought for just a few dollars, but large, finely tuned gongs made from the best materials can fetch tens of thousands of dollars. So what are gongs actually used for? And why are they so expensive?
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Why Gongs Are So Expensive | So Expensive
I don’t know if anyone else felt mesmerized by how that lady painted. She was smooth and accurate. It was really impressive!
Foreal it was tight
It was satisfying to watch. 😀
@@enlightenedbanana listen kid, come up with something original, I’m bored.
@@enlightenedbanana lol now you’re projecting. You’re drunk bro.
@@dean8367 some people aren’t as good at their jobs as she seems to be at hers. Why you gotta be a jerk when I’m just trying to express admiration for someone?
I have never in my life asked "why are gongs so expensive?" But now I know there's a thing called a Gong Highway, and that's super neat.
Yes, yes it is ✨
Gongs are made different in Korea m.kzhead.info/sun/gst9g5xvaauNpok/bejne.html
@@marc59806 and we thought 2020 cant get any worse
@@xiro6 i saw you two everywhere
999th liker
Asian gong sounds: ah yes... peaceful, calming, centered melody. Shavasana... German gong sounds: tOrNaDo TwIsTeR sOuNdS
But it’s made to be the biggest gong not the best sounding gong. Normal flat faced gongs don’t sound like that at all
It sounded awesome thougj
Based on the sound The Gong made from German is not supposed to be called a Gong but a WAAARRGHHHHHAAAAAAWWWWW... cause the sound that was made gave a very crowded noise kind of feel... They call it a Gong for a reason you know cause it sounded Gongggg... Gonggg... not WHRRRAAAWWGGGHHHH
German gong be looking like a large frying pan. Change my mind
I expected the Halo theme to start playing when it was ringing.
How to make expensive things: Craft it by hand.
Spitting Facts
Or put gold flakes
sell it for a high price
Step 1: Don't tell people with machines how to do it
Add truffles
I could literally watch that lady paint for hours.....
@@marc59806 it seems noise is called different in Korea too.
@@xiro6 i saw you two everywhere
@Patsagorn Yuenyong @Victor Otero @marc coleman I saw 3 of you in most of the comments 🤷🤷♀️🤷♂️
@@marc59806 *differently
Same
Who needs a gong when you have a wok and a spatula.
Gongs are made different in China m.kzhead.info/sun/gst9g5xvaauNpok/bejne.html
@@marc59806 who asked though?
LOL
I think uncle roger approved this comment
@@rensu3923 well its related to gongs.
Speaking as a percussionist, it's impossible to compare the two... Their purpose and production methods are so different, both are equally wonderful, just depends on what you're using it for. Fwiw, that Paiste tam-tam is absolutely glorious...
Lies again? Harvard Barcelona Orlando
I love you Germany, but my money would be on the Thai gong if I was ever in the market for a gong. 😂
They are clearly made for different things, one for religious rituals and calming down, the others for dramatic orchestra and sound effects.
This made me wanna fly to Thailand just to buy a gong so I can hit it when I am stressful. The sound is so relaxing.
5:18 Me trying to be extra careful not to make any noise when sneaking in the kitchen at 2am.
🤣
r/MeIRL
Gongs are made different in Korea m.kzhead.info/sun/gst9g5xvaauNpok/bejne.html
@@marc59806 and we thought 2020 cant get any worse
@@xiro6 i saw you two everywhere
um. I'm leaning towards objection towards the statement that German made gongs are made using science while the Thai gongs are made with craftsmanship. The two gongs are, in fact, not the same instrument, and in point of fact the Thai gongs ARE tuned for a clear tonal signal whereas the German gongs are tuned for a reverberating feedback that has multiple tonal qualities we refer to a sound of 'crashing'.
Both have diferent uses
This "German gong" is actually a Chinese instrument. The crushing white noise has nothing to do with German engineering but with Chinese music
@@Enkaptaton the phrase “german gong” does not mean that it is a thing invented by the germans but rather a thing produced by germans. The crushing sound of these gongs have nothing to do with the chinese either, but rather with the physcis of large, vibrating surfaces.
@@Brien831 I meant that it's inaccurate to call an instrument and it's sound "german" when it is a Chinese instrument with a Chinese sound and a Chinese history. just because it is produced in Germany. It's sound tells you nothing about Germany. I am confused that you did not understand it. Also your bullshit about physics instead of culture. Merry Christmas anyway
@@Enkaptaton so pan flutes are peruvian flutes? Do you know what you're saying?
The lady's job is no less delicate than the Roll Royce coachline painter's job. And she does it so effortlessly. Much respect!
She's painting that free hand really fast! That's crazy lol
What the Germans did with machines, the Thai did with feel Now, that's pure talent, hats off to these craftspeople and thanks to insider for shining a light on them
Both types of Gongs clearly have a place, they are VERY different.
I might be beating a dead horse, and I'm sure many will say it better than me, but these are not the same. A paiste gong (or anything by most other western gong manufacturers) is a musical instrument made to function in a western musical setting, more often than not in an orchestra. Therefore the tuned sound can be a massive detrament to playing with pitched instruments who's tuning will inevitably clash with the gong - not to mention you would then need a gong tuned to every note just for it to be viable in every possible setting. This is massively expensive, and a very different effect than what gongs usually are treated as - really big and loud cymbals (specifically suspended cymbals, not the type you smash two of). This means that a scientific approach to create consistent, non-pitched gong which can be replicated a hundred times over (although there is an immesurable amount of mastery put into Paiste gongs as well) can create a cheaper product and more musical product for those among us who intend to create music with these. The types of gongs shown here are of course usable, but are more ritualistic/spiritual in nature (hence the decorations and the such) I'm not actually trying to say you are wrong, but just that it might be a little misguiding.
Gongs are made different in Korea m.kzhead.info/sun/gst9g5xvaauNpok/bejne.html
@@marc59806 and we thought 2020 cant get any worse
@@xiro6 i saw you two everywhere
As someone who has used a fairly large symphonic gong (3 ft diameter), let me tell you that nothing feels more incredible than standing right next to a resonating gong
As a Thai person. The short answer is It takes a lot of work, skills, tools etc. to make them that basically why they are so expensive.
theyer cheap.. poorly made.. and no skill at all . these fools used a welder.. and made it form steel.. the traditional gongs of this type are brass or bronze and beaten from a thick plate out by hand .. the centre is thicker than the edge.. the edge is harder as the brass becomes thinner. it takes several days to beat out the form.. there is no place in thailand that a proper gong has been made for a long time.. 60 years at least.. i believe in burma they are still made, and maybe among some dai people in yunan. these horrid things they make now in thailand sound nothing like the antique beaten gongs. it is shameful these idiots selling this crap parade such crimes as if it was some art.. .. taking scrap steel and a welder to make a "handmade gong" its silly and rude.. it also shows those buying them buy it just to fill a place and their no culture left that demands it will have a specific quality any more.. its just like any cheap decorative item.. .. the beaten brass gong would take a high skill level and many hours of work. these guys are lazy crooks..
@@manchagojohnsonmanchago6367 Can't really disagree here, but they used welder instead. It still use skill to make into a gong and the painting and they're expensive because it's a culture type things.
@@manchagojohnsonmanchago6367 how do u know that?
Yoooooo that lady painting tho..... People like to watch people cooking or eating, but I could totally dig watching someone paint like that! So mesmerising!
3:35 that face he's making when he's just sitting there being impressed and proud of their work is really satisfying to see :)
Gongs are made different in Korea m.kzhead.info/sun/gst9g5xvaauNpok/bejne.html
@@marc59806 it seems noise is called different in Korea too.
@@xiro6 i saw you two everywhere
I wish if they have a day anually in which all of the gong makers (a long the 21miles strecth of road) hit the "Big Gong" in front of their house all together at once. What beautiful sound it may produce? 🥰 Perhaps it can also be recorded in Guiness World of Record for most numbered of gong hit at once! 😍
@@fahmihilme8883 that would be amazing!!!!
The lady who paints it smoothly was so satisfying.
Should I be studying for my finals? Yes. Did I need to learn about gongs? Also yes.
Traditional Gong = so hard labour yet the sound so eretheral Modern Gong = not so hard labour yet the sounds is like coming from your nightmare
Because a traditional gong needs a more personal touch
@@mba849 are you talking about the modern gong and traditional gong sounds? If it helps the video shows it Around 05:28
No the “Modern Gong” you are talking about is the Chinese gong while the “Traditional Gong” is the Thai gong.
I thought we are talking about the Russian gong
@@LobstersLobsters no it does not. The gongs shown in the video make a comparison between very small vibrating surfaces and a very big one. It is natural that big surfaces produce a deep pitch while smaller ones, like the thai gongs produce a higher pitch. It has nothing to do with craftsmanship as a small gong made, by using the german system of testing the pitch, will create a much more accurate sound than handmade thai gongs. This is not to devalue thai craftsmanship but more about the difference between scientifically produced instruments and handmade ones.
We, indonesian, are familiar with gongs (we also called it gong) since gongs are part of traditional instruments in most of our music. It is part of gamelan orchestra and is used for modern ceremony like launching a program and products that marked by hitting the gong ( instead of cutting ribbon )
amazing!
Paiste: we use high end acoustic measuring equipment to perfectly tune our gongs. Every gongmaker on the gong highway: get rekt noob
Don’t paiste use b20 alloy?
Gongs are made different in Korea m.kzhead.info/sun/gst9g5xvaauNpok/bejne.html
@@marc59806 and we thought 2020 cant get any worse
And tunes it into a mermaid being dragged inside a volcano
What do you mean get rekt?
A pleasure to work on the project, really like how your team put it together!
How to make a gong Germany : science Thailand : t r e e s t u m p
Lol
1:27 his teeth are exceptionally clean.
Great smile!
Gongs are made different in Korea m.kzhead.info/sun/gst9g5xvaauNpok/bejne.html
@@marc59806 it seems noise is called different in Korea too.
@@xiro6 i saw you two everywhere
Apparently Thailand and Mexico has the best cost to value dental care in the world.
A huge Thai gong (2.5 meters) sounds so cool using 2 hands rubbing on center dome repeatedly like when you rub the wine glass. The resonance from it prolongs even half a minute.
The whole art is very beautiful. Shaping, tuning, painting, are all crazy skills!
Wow when they had to hammer the middle details I was so surprised :O We take it for granted to have these things fabricated, but neglect the hard and impressive work these metalworkers have to do! 🙌🏼
I misread the title as “Why are bongs so expensive?”
THAT is a question I would love to have answered for me
@@SDPTheGhost its made of glass...
Bonk
All you need is a pen and an apple
@@TheRedKnight101 that's a apple pipe, not a bong
So interesting, it's almost mesmerizing.. I wonder if the gongs ever have to have a tune - up due to wear and tear from the elements? I was so impressed with the woman that painted the gong!! Her hand/arm movements are flawless and so precise..... I'm in awe
i got goosebumps when they listen to the tune and hammered on certain places to achieve the perfect tune... That is real talent there.. omg.. ❤❤🔥 and that's gonna take years of practice, learning and risking.. Hats off to them
The painting process was super satisfying, but the maker's smile so big and happy and adorable. 😁
Me: Interesting a new “so expensive video”. Next video: why everything is so expensive.
answer: inflation
Gongs are made different in Korea m.kzhead.info/sun/gst9g5xvaauNpok/bejne.html
@@marc59806 and we thought 2020 cant get any worse
@@xiro6 i saw you two everywhere
For my country, the question isnt why everything is so expensive the question is why everyone is so poor
I've never wanted a gong before but now I MUST have one
I absolutely love listening to people talk about things that they are experts on
Rhanku for sharing this with all of us. Such a wonderful talent of creation and beauty. Thanku all for bringing these joyous gifts into our world. 🥰
Gongs are such unusual instruments that makes them holy! You can think often of how a violin is made, but you would rarely do it for a gong. This really makes me think of how other reverered things are produced. Like thrones! Someone had had to make them!
1:27 his teeth are brighter than my future.
and that's is Thai Healthcare for you, here in Thailand you don't need a million to have a tooth brighten and take care.
@@MutheiM_Marz THAILAND IS CHEAP
Oh wow-that very first gong he struck, with the really deep sound....I could seriously listen to that for hours!❤️ Plus I love to see people that seem so passionate about their craft, like he does. It really shows in the final product.
what did you think of the german gong's sound?
5:25 my gosh, the reverberation is so intense, loud, sweet and spreading. simply majestic
No welding gloves. Grinding without safety glasses. Hammering on sheet metal without ear protection. No respiratory protection to speak of anywhere. What a Gong Show!!!!
It's normal in south east asian country. They don't usually wear footwear and if they do, they use slippers. And they weld, cut, grind and anything that people usually do with safety gears they don't. Even climbing to a tower
@@kevinjati7953 I have been there a few times and it's even weirder to see it live. Especially as a welder in Canada with so much safety safety safety. It seems like every year they hang something else off of us for safety.
lol, be glad about our safety standards, if not, darwin awaits you...
I’m from Thailand. Tbh on the contrary, when I first visited Austria and saw construction workers with all the safety helmets, gloves, masks, and slings, I was beyond impressed. It was so strange that I was staring at them and took photos lol. At that time I never thought all of that safety was necessary cuz no one ever had it. How wonderful and funny it is, that they are very well protected and cared for. Like even better than how children here are cared for. Would definitely visit Europe again, just to admire and get inspired by the living standards of humans under better governments🤩
Ya know, we went to war with flip flop...so why not?
Wow man the sound of the really big one gave me chills it was so beautiful, loud and I wonder if tourists hit the ones they can.
3:03 not going to lie but that bit took me to another dimension
So much admiration to the skillful artists , They are truly the National Treasures
4:34 i feel proud seeing my country's flag-
Our ancestral house ( dates back to 1893) in the Philippines has a gong displayed in its wall, I never actually heard it, my dad said his grandfather was the one who hanged the gong and no one has removed it eversince.
Gongs are made different in China m.kzhead.info/sun/gst9g5xvaauNpok/bejne.html
They make very beautiful gongs! That is a very hard working man ! That’s good he kept his Grandpa & Dad tradition
Keep it up love your channel good job for your team don’t stop (: God Bless Everyone in The World
host: "spiritual significance" me: yeah, contestant's spirits crushed after being gonged on PH TV for not meeting TNT judge's standards
this is the sound of pain 😔
(3 loud gongs stopping the music and the voice caused by the signal of the judge)
👆✌️🤚✊
SHINRA TENSEI!!!
"anong masasabi ng mga hurado"
Why Gongs are so Expensive Me: Sure.....Why not
Gongs are made different in Korea m.kzhead.info/sun/gst9g5xvaauNpok/bejne.html
@@marc59806 it seems noise is called different in Korea too.
@@xiro6 i saw you two everywhere
That’s basically our every thought when we see a KZhead video
Are you saved friend? If you died tonight will you go to heaven or hell? Acts 16:30-31 KJV ...what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. God Almighty, the Creator was manifest in the flesh. He came into the world to take away the sin of the world. He gave up his own life to save yours. His sacrifice on the cross paid the price for your redemption with his own blood. On the third day he rose from dead and offers the gift of salvation and forgiveness to those that repent and trust in him. This is the Gospel which means the Good News. Turn to Christ and live. John 1:1,14 KJV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, Isaiah 9:6 KJV For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. John 1:10 KJV He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. John 20:28-29 KJV And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. [29] Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. kzhead.info/sun/ZJiyj7qBgWSQlYU/bejne.html
As a Thai person, I appreciate the effort of pronunciation and taking interest in our culture and heritage 💕
Excellent video... esp since I'm a percussionist. BEAUTIFUL
Actually Gong culture has deeply ingrained in Thai culture since before Buddhism spread into this area 1,300 years ago. Tai ethnics use gong for their local religion since 3,000-4,000 years ago. Archeologists found massive amount of brass gongs around GuangXi and Yunan (origin place of Tai ethnic).
Mizoram, a part of Northeast India actually have this kinda gong as one of our traditional musical instruments. And we use bigger gongs when someone passed away which is a tradition..
The sound of the gong is really relaxing 💆.. Priceless skills 👏👏💝💝💝
the woman is mind bendingly talented. bravisimo! i always find myself hoping these highly skilled artisans are being compensated for their worth. many thanks for upload.
*"a centre knob is surrounded by smaller nipples"* 2:19, one way of phrasing it 😂😂
THATS EXACTLY WHAT I THOUGHT LOL
Don’t forget about the *”bangers”* that make them! 🤣
Someday, I'll be mature enough to not giggle at that. Not for a long, long time, though.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who turned back into a 12 year old upon hearing that line
This channel always teaches me something new.
kzhead.info/sun/rMOrnqqAsYx6bHA/bejne.html
Gongs are made different in Korea m.kzhead.info/sun/gst9g5xvaauNpok/bejne.html
@@marc59806 it seems noise is called different in Korea too.
@@xiro6 i saw you two everywhere
That gong was also iconic in the Philippines. A gong will hit indicating a singer caught off-tune while singing on stage
Who else wants an expensive gong now even though you don’t need it
Wow great video i loved it
Gongs are made different in China m.kzhead.info/sun/gst9g5xvaauNpok/bejne.html
The traditional gongs from South-East Asia sound way better to me, such a sweet calming sound
Very cool! It was interesting to see how gongs are made.
Wooooooooow so nice. I loved how the first one sounded 🥰 so deep and smooth
why is X so expensive: manual labor strikes again
Gongs are made different in China m.kzhead.info/sun/gst9g5xvaauNpok/bejne.html
@@marc59806 can you stop
* Rarity of material * Manual Labor * Craftsmanship * Complexity
4:35 Southeast Asian flags!!! WOW!
For decades I have wondered why Gongs are so expensive. I now know why and I am complete, my Yin and Yang are in perfect harmony. Thank you word wide web!
Who uses that word? Call it the internet or smthing
I'm a musical instrument maker, mostly stringed instruments. Respect for the quality of craftmanship demonstrated here. They deserve the high prices they demand. cheers from sunny Vienna, Scott
The Paiste gong sounds like a cow bell when compare to the tuned smoothing sound of the Thai ones
Paiste has got to be my least favorite cymbal brand.
@@mild_meme the 2002 sound edge hats are amazing though
I love your video
Never wanted a gong until now. I’m very new to meditation but can definitely see how the sounds can aid in the practice of mindfulness.
I agree it would be a major challenge to tune a gong. The painting is absolutely amazing as well.
I feel like gong in Thailand are true gongs than Paiste in germany
Gongs are made different in China m.kzhead.info/sun/gst9g5xvaauNpok/bejne.html
And why do you say that?
Not really, one is made by people for slave wages and the other is made by highly repeatable machines for less labor for a living wage for workers
The sound just sound right ! And base on refence - if you make music ... German ,if you use gong for Buddhist purpose .. of course it need that holy sound from Thailand , deep calm and Holy ...
@Unique Chris BS if the people were seeking a honest cut of those gongs being made their lives would change. They certainly are not seeing pay increases with the increase demand from customers. If a safer job that came by with better pay they would be sprinting to the door
In my country, gongs are all made of brass and they are not decorated. This is not only used for traditional ceremony but also is part in a local instrument orchestra
Kayaknya term gong sendiri berasal dari bahasa jawa mas. Onomatopi dari bunyi gong sendiri. Patut bangga.
Iku Gong Jerman dipake Wayangan wes bubaran
@@motorola9956 iya gong itu dari bahasa jawa. ꦒꦺꦴꦁ dibilangnya gong. Gong berasal dari cina dan dibawa ke asia tenggara. Gong digunakan di jawa biasanya untuk gamelan. Yang dipakai di negara thai, vietnam, myanmar biasa dipakai untuk acara keagamaan biasanya buddha
@@kevinjati7953 termnya mas, the word was coined from Javanese.
@@motorola9956 iya saya bilang kata gong itu dari bahasa jawa
YouYour voice is so calming you helped me with my anxiety
Wow she is such a skilled painter! Such beautiful lines done entirely freehand.
"but it's also a piece of cake, IF YOU KNOW HOW TO DO IT." *then laugh* Insecure people : Did he just... insult me?
Subtitles: *(gong sounds)* Deaf people: *Cartoonishly vibrate*
See ya in hell
Really cool to feel the gong vibrations coming through my phone. It vibrates my hands.
Incredible..speechless
The gongs are even making my phone vibrate along with the sound
"Keep your circle small and powerful" ~Nihal Jagtap- "Walking distance to the Riverwalk" ~Dr Suez🥰Dr Carl
I don’t get it please explain. Is this some American humour we don’t understand?
Gongs are made different in Korea m.kzhead.info/sun/gst9g5xvaauNpok/bejne.html
@@marc59806 it seems noise is called different in Korea too.
@@xiro6 i saw you two everywhere
The Paiste logo is kind of an eye sore but it sounds amazing 🥰. The gongs from Thailand sound so beautiful and look nice, too!! I’m so glad they’re doing well 💗
I should be doing an essay, but here i am learning how to make a gong and determinate its value. Nice !!
Me, a Filipino who lived 12 years in the Philippines: "Is that the Tawag Ng Tanghalan gong from Showtime? "
So many gong shops I was hoping to see some shops with names like: "Gong With The Wind", "gong Girl, or "Gong in 60 Seconds"
Open a gong shop in Hong Kong and call it Hong Bong
Go home *Bob’s Burgers”* - you’re drunk! 😆❤️
Beautiful work.
Hermoso.......bendiciones.
Glad to see Thai people on youtube!
“Hand beating” did not know my dad was a gong maker
Lol get out of here 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
Gongs are important to my culture in Borneo too. This is the first time I’ve seen a beautifully painted gong. The ones my family has is a set of different sizes and pitch and the look is just plain.
Artisan that is making the art is satisfying ❤️❤️
Quality and manual work always demand high prices. The demand and willingness to pay to create such an environment.
Gongs are made different in China m.kzhead.info/sun/gst9g5xvaauNpok/bejne.html
Proud to be Thai 😊
I like the authentic ones, crispy sound
These are beautiful!
"Our elders hear the sound (of the gong) and put their hands together and make a wish."🥺
2:19 how did he say that with a straight face
I really love your videos they are soo cool
the sound of these gongs bring me back to my childhood man, when i would be at the temple with my parents during a ceremony i would always wanna hit it lol