Big Metal 1
July 13, 2025 9am - July 20, 2025 12pm
Co-facilitated by Mitch Nur and Mike Tamburo, Big Metal offers an immersive exploration into the world of large metal instruments, with a focus on gongs 44” or larger. This course is designed for those wishing to deepen their understanding of the deep resonance and complex overtones that emerge from these massive instruments. Participants will engage directly with the sonic field of large metal, learning how to manipulate the vast array of overtones that emerge from the gong’s surface.
Through hands-on experience, participants will explore how the placement and movement of mallets across different parts of the gong affect its tonal qualities. From sharp, percussive strikes to soft, sustained resonance, participants will experiment with different mallets, exploring how materials and techniques produce unique timbres that reveal the full spectrum of sonic possibilities.
Participants will also explore sustain, saturation, and vibrations from Big Metal, learning how to control the length of sound and its density. By working with these large instruments, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how sustain interacts with resonance and how saturation can transform the impact of a tone, allowing them to create layers of sound that evolve over time. The dynamic range of these instruments will be explored, from soft, meditative vibrations to powerful, expansive sounds, as participants learn how to control the amplitude and resonance of each strike.
As participants deepen their relationship with the gongs, they will have the opportunity to blend composition and improvisation, experimenting with spontaneous creation while also learning how to craft intentional sonic works using the gongs. This blend of structure and freedom will allow participants to find new ways to express their creativity and unlock the full potential of these extraordinary instruments.
In this immersive course, participants will work closely with Mitch Nur and Mike Tamburo to connect with the primal nature of large gongs. Big Metal offers a rare opportunity to expand artistic possibilities, refine technique, and deepen the understanding of resonant metals in a way that will elevate gong practice and creative expression.
Limited to just 12 students to insure an intimate learning experience. These large Gong events always sell out.