THE GONG MALLETS YOU CHOOSE DRAMATICALLY IMPACT THE RANGE OF SOUNDS YOUR GONG CAN PRODUCE

Many gong players collect a wide range of mallets to explore the full sonic potential of their instrument. Read how the TYPE, SIZE & DENSITY can help you create a vast array of sounds on a single gong.

Gong Mallet Types

TAPPING MALLETS

• Available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and densities
• For beginners with a gong that is 28” or larger, we suggest you begin with the following
  • One big mallet to bring a focus to the lowest tones of the gong
  • One set of mid sized gong mallets, for rolling (quickly playing right/left/right/left) to showcase the low and mid tones
  • One set of small mallets for the rolling to bring out the higher tones of the gong.  
  • After you know your gong better, you can add more gongs to pull out other sounds of your gong

👉  Check out our tapping mallets here

FRICTION MALLETS (Flumies)

Friction mallets are made from a variety of different rubber or silicone balls and create the sound through .... FRICTION!!! ... through the gentle drag of a ball across the surface of the metal gong. 

I like to compare friction mallets / flumies with chocolate. I love chocolate! Eating chocolate from the dollar store is ok, but taking a bite of expensive chocolate from the chocolatier produces a smooth and luxurious experience. The same thing can be said for friction mallets.

• Some of the cheaper friction mallets are fun to play with, but frequently lack the smooth tones, creating a more clustered tonal quality 
• The more expensive silicone balls tend to create a very smooth pure and luxurious tone
• Different makers offer unique densities and designs, each producing distinct tones and playing experiences
• The size and material of the gong has a big influence on the ease of use of your friction mallets.  
  • Gongs under 20” have can have limited ability to sing with friction mallets. 
  • As you increase the size of the gong, the wider range of tones you can pull out of the gong with your friction mallet.
• The material of your gong makes a difference in how the flumies respond
  • Bronze and Titanium gongs, especially bronze gongs with artwork tend to be the easiest gongs to use with friction mallets
  • Stainless steel gongs can sometimes be a challenge with friction mallets, but once you learn the correct technique, you will be able to pull out some beautiful tones in your gong.  
  • Nickel silver gongs (Paiste / Meinl etc) have the potential to get marked up, so some player opt to play on the back of their gong to keep the front looking spotless.

👉  Check out our friction mallets here

Gong Mallet Size

👉  High-frequency sounds originate near the edges of your gong and travel in fast, small waves. Low tones emerge from the centre and move in slower, larger waves.

LARGE MALLETS

• A large gong mallet has a larger surface area which mutes the small, high-frequency waves, highlighting the deep tones.
• When struck at the centre of the gong, large gong mallets emphasize the deep, resonant low tones.

SMALL MALLETS

• A small gong mallet does not mute the tones, so they allow the high frequencies to ring out more clearly
• When played along the rim of your gong, small mallets bring out the high, shimmering overtones.

Gong Mallet Density

SOFT MALLETS

• A soft mallet has padding which has a longer contact time on the gong, thus muting some  tones to create a warmer, softer tone — perfect for meditative or subtle soundscapes

HARD MALLETS

• A harder mallet spends less time on the surface of the gong, producing a short, crisp, bright attack — great for dynamic playing

👉  Check out our wide selection of mallets here