I know some of your are school band directors or are involved with community bands. So... here's the question:
I've volunteered to build, buy, rent, or borrow a 'Water Gong' for a local school to use in a concert band competition. This is a regular concert gong (34") that is to be submerged into water after it's struck and vibrating to produce the sound of a 'dying' turbine. Anyone have any experience with such a device to accomplish this?
Water Gong?
Forum rules
Be kind. No government, state, or local politics allowed. Admin has final decision for any/all removed posts.
Be kind. No government, state, or local politics allowed. Admin has final decision for any/all removed posts.
-
Dan Schultz
- TubaTinker
- Posts: 10424
- Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2004 10:46 pm
- Location: Newburgh, Indiana
- Contact:
Water Gong?
Dan Schultz
"The Village Tinker"
http://www.thevillagetinker.com" target="_blank
Current 'stable'... Rudolf Meinl 5/4, Marzan (by Willson) euph, King 2341, Alphorn, and other strange stuff.
"The Village Tinker"
http://www.thevillagetinker.com" target="_blank
Current 'stable'... Rudolf Meinl 5/4, Marzan (by Willson) euph, King 2341, Alphorn, and other strange stuff.
-
Tom
- 5 valves
- Posts: 1579
- Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2004 11:01 am
Re: Water Gong?
Is this to use in the piece Harrison's Dream by Peter Graham?
If so, I know the piece and what was done for the "water gong" stuff when I did it...
No secret really...we filled up a really big plastic container about half full with water (you need to experiment with this as well as how far to "dunk" the gong into it and how fast to do it). It took two people to hold the gong and submerge it evenly. I suppose that you could build a fancy device to hold the gong and/or raise and lower it, but we didn't bother. It worked ok, but IMHO the effect is subtle and is almost more trouble than it's worth.
If so, I know the piece and what was done for the "water gong" stuff when I did it...
No secret really...we filled up a really big plastic container about half full with water (you need to experiment with this as well as how far to "dunk" the gong into it and how fast to do it). It took two people to hold the gong and submerge it evenly. I suppose that you could build a fancy device to hold the gong and/or raise and lower it, but we didn't bother. It worked ok, but IMHO the effect is subtle and is almost more trouble than it's worth.
The Darling Of The Thirty-Cents-Sharp Low D♭'s.
-
king2ba
- bugler
- Posts: 175
- Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 3:45 pm
Re: Water Gong?
I'm pretty sure that a water gong is nothing more than a gong suspended 1/4 to 1/2 way in water. No special rig, just a gong on a normal stand with a tub 'o water below it. You might have to build a small platform to put the tub on, but it's pretty simple. Now, if the instructions call for hitting the gong, then submerging it, the only way that would work is to have one percussionist hold it and another hit it, then the holder dunks. I would think that would kill vibrations so fast that no change in sound would really be noticed.
Then again...what do I know....I play the tuba.
mr
Then again...what do I know....I play the tuba.
mr