When I think back to my first ever gong journey, I remember the awe and curiosity I felt. Attending a gong bath for the first time, I was mesmerized by the instrument. When she finished playing, I remember sitting up and looking at this large, circular instrument, wondering—how did she know exactly where to strike the gong? There were no notes, no obvious markings on its face, nothing to guide her. I was fascinated by how she seemed to draw sound from it effortlessly. My mind raced with questions. How do you play such an instrument? How do you know where and when to strike?
Later, when I learned that the gong is largely an intuitive instrument, my feelings were mixed. On one hand, I was a little disappointed. If it’s intuitive, does that mean there’s no technique or skill involved? But on the other hand, I was excited—intuition meant that perhaps I could learn to play it too.
In the yoga and wellness space, including sound therapy, the path to becoming a practitioner can take many forms. Some choose to learn through intuition and experience, while others, like myself, build upon that intuition and experience by deciding to deepen their skills with formal qualifications, so for some of us, the journey may begin with intuitive exploration, but we then choose to take it a step further, seeking a more structured and comprehensive foundation through professional training.
For me, it was important not only to find a program that resonated with my personal practice but also one that was formally accredited. This is why I opted to undertake my formal training through the College of Sound Healing, which holds recognized accreditation in the UK. This standing as an accredited body provided assurance to me that the curriculum was comprehensive and met a high professional standard.
In formal gong training, practitioners don’t just learn how to play the instrument—they are taken through the rich history and origins of the gong itself. Understanding where this sacred instrument comes from deepens your connection to its power. Alongside this, many courses also introduce students to other sound therapy instruments, such as singing bowls, flutes, rattles, and shamanic tools. This broadens the practitioner's toolkit and allows them to create more diverse personal and meaningful sound experiences for their clients.
Another invaluable aspect of training is the sense of community that develops among practitioners. In my year-long practitioner course with Sheila Whittaker, I have been able to connect deeply with other gong players across different locations in the UK. Spending a year getting to know my fellow students has offered a network that has become a vital resource—not just for sharing best practices but also for ongoing support and learning for us all. We regularly converse and collaborate, ensuring that our development as practitioners is continuous.
For those of us working in the holistic space, where many are self-employed, this network of friends and colleagues becomes essential. It provides a space to share insights, resources, and new techniques, helping us all refine and expand our individual practices. A deep and thorough training does more than just impart classroom knowledge—it forges lasting connections, creating a community of like-minded practitioners who support each other’s challenges and growth.
When selecting a gong tutor, I sought out a teacher with a deep understanding of both the technical and spiritual aspects of gong work. I have been fortunate to train under Sheila Whittaker, a well-known and highly respected figure in the gong community worldwide. Sheila has authored several textbooks on gong playing and has developed a wealth of knowledge through decades of practice. I also had the privilege of learning from the late Phil McNamara, whose passing earlier this year was a huge loss to the gong community. Phil’s expertise, passion, and vast gong knowledge left a lasting impression on all who met him, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the chance to train under him through Sheila Whittaker.
In addition to my year-long gong practitioner’s course with Sheila Whittaker, I spent a few days at Hawkwood at the GMT run by grand gong master Don Conrouex.
Don is credited with bringing gong playing to the West in the 1960s, and it was very interesting to meet him in person this year.
As I embarked on my journey of learning to play the gong, I quickly discovered that while the gong is an intuitive instrument, it still does requires skill, technique, and practice. There are many technical aspects to playing a gong that are important to develop—how to make it sound pleasing to the ear, how to create a balanced and harmonious sound experience, and how to maintain high-quality sound for the listener.
However, learning to play the gong is really a process of learning to step aside and let the right side of your brain take over. Or, as some might describe it, allowing the gong and its vibrations to play through you, rather than you simply playing the gong.
In the words of Sheila Whittaker, “We do not ever master the gong, it is the gong that masters us.”
We are often aiming to drop in into a channelled state when we play, this ‘ flow’ state allows us to connect with the deep and profound vibrations that are produced, which are always uniquely created for the individuals we are playing for.
This ability to drop into an intuitive flow isn’t something that happens the first time you pick up a mallet. It’s a journey that you go on as a practitioner, and a truly good training program will teach that time and space are needed to develop that ability. Alongside this intuitive flow, a strong program will also ensure that you develop the technical skills needed to play the gong as a musical instrument. There is a wealth of knowledge to be learned—understanding which mallets to use, which gongs to select for specific occasions, and the subtle techniques that elevate a sound experience to something truly transformative.
The training I have undergone, including the comprehensive case studies and hands-on client work, was not only about technique. It was also about the personal transformation necessary to hold space for others in a meaningful and grounded way. When you work with a sound practitioner who has pursued accredited training, you’re not just paying for the session itself. You are investing in a practitioner who has undergone rigorous training to provide a safe, transformative experience with knowledge, experience, and integrity.
At the same time, I have great respect for those who have developed their practice through different paths. Many of my colleagues in sound therapy have not pursued formal qualifications, yet they offer incredible depth and passion in their work. Both approaches have value. However, for those of us who have chosen formal training, the structure, discipline, and accreditation provide a foundation that supports both the client and practitioner on a deep level.
Ultimately, the decision to invest in formal training was about more than just becoming a better gong player. It was about ensuring that I can hold space for others with confidence, knowledge, and integrity—qualities that I believe are essential in offering a safe and transformative experience for my clients.
I look forward to the graduation weekend in a few weeks, sharing time with my friends and colleagues! After our graduation performance pieces we have arrange a very special ceronmy to close our time together.. An all night Gong Puju! You could think of this as a big Gong sleep over!
We will be camping out in the training center on blow up mattresses working between us to keep the Gongs sounding through the night!
What special experience!
I cant wait!
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