information & education
As more and more people tune in to the healing potential of sound, correctly certified training and properly informed guidance on beginning life as a sound healer/gong practitioner is more important than ever before.
A trained percussionist, Phil is passionate about the instruments and has an expansive depth of knowledge on acquiring, playing and caring for gongs. Through the archive of articles that will be housed on this website and his new training courses, Phil shares his encyclopaedic experience with the gongs, so that future sound healers, therapists and clients can begin to truly understand the power available to them.
gong training
EDUCATION WITH PHIL
Phil has over 25 years of training experience within the nuclear industry and has presented papers at international conferences. He also has 12 years of experience presenting on gong practitioner courses and workshops and is a Gong Practitioner Tutor with the UK College of Sound Healing. Phil believes that to fully appreciate the gong and its powers one needs to understand everything about it - its history, manufacture and uses as well as how to play it properly. The gong is primarily a musical instrument and should be played accordingly. The healing properties are an inherent within the instrument and correct playing technique will bring out the full properties of the gong. Phil offers a one day introductory workshops on gongs - ‘Discover Gongs!’ and the flagship course “Gong Craft”. Phil is also a tutor for the College of Sound Healing ‘Gong Practitioner’ course for alternative training.
“I really enjoyed it!. Lots of helpful advice and techniques. LOVED playing the gongs.” RB, Cheshire
“Exceeded my expectations. Full of important information and inspiration.” CD, Cornwall
“Phil’s knowledge and experience of all aspects of the world of gongs is comprehensive and in depth.” AB, Gloucestershire
“Having the chance to play so many gongs was amazing. Appreciated the booklet so I didn’t have to take notes. Delighted that you teach mallet technique - so important to be taught to do things properly.” JF, Derbyshire
“Phil is extremely knowledgeable, generous and highly entertaining as a teacher” SR, Kent.
COLLEGE OF SOUND HEALING: GONg PRACTITIONER COURSE - 1 YR
Certify with the College of Sound Healing Gong Practitioner course. This is CMA-certified training over 5 weekends in 12 months. It consists of formal training plus practice, case studies, coursework, reading and mentoring. It gives you a recognised qualification, the information, knowledge and tools to be a Gong Practitioner and to treat clients therapeutically both 1:1 and with Groups. The course content is available from me or the College website www.collegeofsoundhealing.co.uk.
Students on the gong course are expected to attend each session of the course in order. You cannot miss a session and come back to it later. If you are unable to attend all sessions in one year you can re-join the course the following year (subject to spaces) and all sessions need to be attended and the full fees paid. It is not possible to join part way through a course.
You will need the use of a gong by Session 2. Mallets and the occasional gong will be available to purchase at some sessions.
Full payment for one module - £290
Additional costs - your own gong, mallets, stand and bag for case study and gong bath work. Plus College student membership, First Aid at Work course, insurance.
Dates and venues - go to www.collegeofsoundhealing.co.uk
Gong Craft - 5 months
Scientia Sounds flagship course. Taking its inspiration from “Roadcraft”, the UK Police handbook to make people better drivers, ‘Gong Craft’ is a course focussing on correct playing techniques, facts, science and musicology involved with sound therapy with gongs. Set over 4 weekends over 5 months it covers many different types of gongs (symphonic, elemental, planetary tuned, chakra, bossed/tuned gongs), mallets, stands, bags, literature, playing techniques, history, how gongs are made, one to one gong playing, designing gong baths, latest research, the soundscape, listening and musicality.
Throughout the course examples of the use of gongs and tam-tams in classical music will be played to illustrate their use for dramatic effect, soundscapes and emotional response.
The esoteric/spiritual side of gong lore will be kept to a minimum though acknowledged when appropriate e.g. use of intention. The course will also challenge and correct certain assumptions and inaccuracies pervading todays gong culture.
There are four modules:-
Module 1 - Gongs, The Fundamentals
Module 2 - Theory, Therapy and Music
Module 3 - The Soundscape
Module 4 - From the Elements to the Cosmos
The course (all 4 modules) is accredited by the International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine. Individual modules are not.
Next course:-
Elmslie House, 8 Avenue Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 3AG
Module 1 - 24th/25th February 2024
Module 2 - 6th/7th April 2024
Module 3 - 4th/5th May 2024
Module 4 - 1st/2nd June 2024
Cost - £280 per module. Bookings via ‘Store’ page
Other dates and venues TBA
Additional costs - your own gong, mallets, stand and bag for case study and gong bath work.
for syllabus email phil@scientiasounds.com
DISCOVER GONGS - 1 DAY
This one day course has been designed for people looking for their first experiences with playing gongs. There will be the opportunity to play up to 15 different gongs. Also suitable for Reiki and Yoga teachers who just want to introduce the gong for energy clearing and calming but not use it for therapy. The learning objectives are:-
To learn about and play different gongs
learn basic playing techniques
Sound interacting with the body - the sciency bit!
find your way through the myriad of stands and mallets
true costs of gong ownership and training
have fun!
Cost is £99 per person
Next workshops -
Lancashire and Northumberland 2024 - TBA
Want to organise an event near you? Please get in touch about organising a bespoke event (note - UK only)