Sound Bath 055- Brenda Pang

Bivouac Recording SC

I recorded Brenda at her teacher’s space about 10 minutes walk from the Kam Sheung MTR. The space is next to the teacher’s house and she also holds her sound baths there on occasion. There is a vegetable garden that is tended to by helpers and his students. It was a sweltering early summer day and you can hear the cicadas, dogs, and caretakers wandering in the heat. Brenda plays several instruments in her sound baths including the shamanic drum, gong, and a small shruti box. The most unique instrument she uses is her voice as she chants harmonizing with the instruments and singing well-wishing mantras that she has learned over the years from her teachers. Brenda begins by playing the shamanic drum made with animal hide while holding chimes. The sound is more muted and direct with no sustain which complements her slow breathy chanting and singing. She transitions over to a great symphonic gong with this amazing minor harmonic. Every time she hit that harmonic it felt so uplifting. This track was bittersweet for me because as a dog was barking over the first half of the track which made it difficult to connect. But the sound of the Gong was just so amazing that it totally made up for it. I asked her if we should do it again and she didn't mind the barking. If I had stopped, would we have gotten what we did? Sometimes I regret stopping a recording because the second time just has a different destiny. This one is for listening. Enjoy.