Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ross Barrable. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ross, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

All of my Public or Private commissions to design and create unique sound sculptures have been meaningful because the folks that resonated with the idea of introducing harmonic sound into their outdoor environment really understood to one degree or another, the value and power of sound to uplift and shift consciousness.
The category of sound sculptures that reflected this awareness the most has been “Memorials” .
I have completed many public memorial commissions ranging from a Tornado Memorial in Kansas, Hospice Memorials, Individual Family Memorials, and multiple installations in Public Parks and Botanical Gardens .
The most meaningful memorial for me was a commission to build a 21 foot tall Wind Harp in El Dorado, Kansas as a 50 year Tornado Memorial.
In 1948 a tornado ripped through this small town and killed 13 people so we decided to install 13 strings on the wind harp.
I had the opportunity to talk to one of the survivors of that fateful day. He told me that when the tornado hit their house it sounded like a freight train came through the middle of their living room. The element of the wind is an omnipresent and primal force of nature that is not only very powerful but can also be very subtle and it is these gentle breezes that when transmuted into sound are absolutely magical.
It is my experience that the contemporary wind harps’ ability to generate a full spectrum tapestry of harmonics can out-create the wildest human imaginings, for the sound of nature is the heartbeat and rhythm of all creation.

Ross, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Ross Barrable’s work in the realm of sound sculpture, particularly with Crystanium® Gongs, and the Contemporary Wind Harp represents a fascinating intersection of art, nature, and sound therapy.
Philosophical and Therapeutic Approach:
“I incorporate principles of sacred geometry into all my Wind Harp & Gong designs, which aligns with natural harmonic frequencies. This approach isn’t just about creating novel music but about fostering a connection between the listener and the natural world, that offer therapeutic benefits. The sounds produced are often described as ethereal, calming, and meditative, which can aid in stress relief, meditation, and even spiritual practices.
“Crystanium® Gongs” uses an innovative approach to gong creation by fabricating our gongs from 99% pure titanium.
Crystanium® refers to a novel material, involving our proprietary crystalline-infused metallurgical treatment, enhancing the gong’s resonance, clarity, & even visual appeal.” Through my interest in bio-compatible materials like titanium, “Crystanium” ® is a proprietary treatment aimed at optimizing sound quality & integrating health benefits to the human body.”
  Craftsmanship:
All our gongs are handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring each piece not only vibrates as a unique musical instrument but also as a piece of art. The crafting process involves optimizing the tuning to specific frequencies which have particular effects on the human body or mind, aligning with practices in sound therapy.
-Function and Use:
Crystanium ® Gongs are intended for use in sound therapy sessions, yoga studios, meditation centers, or personal spaces for relaxation. This unique material and design offers a different acoustic experience compared to traditional gongs, with longer sustain, purer tones, or even multi-harmonic sounds that are not commonly found in the more common bronze or steel gongs.
-Innovation in Sound Art:
These gongs being a part of Barrable’s portfolio, represent his ongoing exploration into how sound interacts with transcending space, time, and human consciousness. They are an extension of his philosophy that sound sculpture can be both an art form and a tool for well-being.
The exploration of materials like “Crystanium” ® in gongs signify Barrable’s commitment to innovation within his craft, potentially leading to new discoveries in sound therapy or musical instrument design. His work, therefore, isn’t just about the objects he creates but about the experiences they facilitate, the environments they enhance, and the connections they foster between people and the natural world.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

” It’s the height of winter in Colorado, The sky is azure blue not a cloud in sight and it’s totally still, no wind to speak of, the Ponderosa Pines are barely moving.
I turn to my trusty folk harp for inspiration…. it never lets me down. Closing my eyes, my fingers play their familiar melodic riffs but they are already new and different. They are always new and different because today is a new day and what I feel right now is unique to this “sacred” moment in time. I use the word “sacred” because the music I improvise on the folk harp is always unique it’s never the same one day to the next. The experience of listening to nature driven sound sculptures is very similar because the sounds they generate are always different, depending on the energy within the wind.
There are five elements that comprise and manifest our earthly experience, being earth, water, fire, air, and aether. In my world the element of the air which creates the wind or breath is the element that carries many spiritual metaphors in the way it co- creates our reality.
The wind is invisible although we can see it’s effects, it has no smell although it is the medium that carries the wonderful fragrance of the rose or the smell of a forest fire, we can’t touch the wind or grab it yet we can feel a gentle breeze on our cheek or the primal power of hurricane.
It is here that I am introducing the 6th element of sound or vibration that provides the connecting thread that unifies all the other 5 elements together . Music is clearly the “Universal Language” not only in this physical dimension but throughout all of creation , “In the Beginning was the Word ” is a common biblical reference to the greater Cosmic Truth given to us by the Great Mystic and Spiritual teacher Pythagoras who spoke of the “Music of the Spheres” being the Primal cause substance .
In 2008 I installed a 21 foot tall Wind Harp in El Dorado Kansas as a 50 year Tornado Memorial. In 1948 a tornado ripped through this small town and killed 13 people so we decided to install 13 strings on the wind harp.
I had the opportunity to talk to one of the survivors of that fateful day. He told me that when the tornado hit their house it sounded like a freight train came through the middle of their living room.The element of the wind is an omnipresent and primal force of nature that is not only very powerful but can also be very subtle and it is these gentle breezes that when transmuted into sound are absolutely magical. It is my experience that contemporary wind harps’ and Crystanium ® Gongs that generate full spectrum resonance and an endless tapestry of harmonics, out-create the wildest human imaginings, for the sound of nature is the heartbeat and rhythm of creation.
When I place a wind harp or one of the new Crystanium®Gongs out in my yard this is the beginning step to listing to what’s going on in my environment. Harmony Wind Harps are designed to reflect and amplify the creative energy /vibration of nature by acting as a huge magnet that can draw our attention to not only the sound of the sculptures but more importantly the vibration of the greater soundscape. This includes all of it, the wind, birds, frogs, coyotes horses, ravens, crickets at night, or the cry of the Redtail Hawk . In my world an outdoor sound sculpture doesn’t even have to make any sound to do their job because every time I look at it I automatically remember to tune in and listen to the surrounding soundscape. It’s the refocusing of my attention that creates the shift, right now, and if the harps are singing, all the better, …..the celestial symphony has begun.
To me an outdoor sound sculpture really provides a focal point, another reminder to stop, tune in, and listen for just a moment which allows me to collect my attention units and re-focus my awareness. This is the most powerful way to “Own the moment” , and get present in the Here and Now.
This is the gift and power of a nature driven sound sculpture, they can not only engage us on a visual and auditory level to be more present in the now and appreciate the beauty and harmony of nature.
What if NOW is all there is …….

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an acoustic sculptor is two fold.
The first is that it provides an authentic outlet of expression for my deepest spiritual longing to connect with and feel the presence of what Pythagoras termed “The Music of the Spheres” . Another name for this omnipresent and unconditionally loving vibration is the “Universal Sound Current” .
The creation of all my sound sculptures whether harps or gongs has always been driven by this inner knowing that audible harmonic sound whether it is created by nature or man made instruments , is an outer reflection of the “inner sound current ” that has been referenced throughout spiritual traditions for thousands of years . Creating these musical instruments is my sacred gift to myself and the world as an outflow of “Shabda” ( Universal Sound Current) , This is how God expresses through me .
I am totally transparent in terms of why I have been so driven for 5 decades to build these instruments and their connection to my own personal spiritual journey because it is impossible for me to separate the exploration of sound, vibration, consciousness and spirituality .
The second most rewarding aspect of being a sound sculptor especially now that I am creating the Crystanium® Gong is that those sound practitioners that are drawn to my posts on social media and reach out really have a resonance with why I build these instruments , which has opened up a very rewarding dialogue that supports my commitment to innovation, potentially leading to new discoveries in sound therapy and musical instrument design.
My work, therefore, isn’t just about the sound sculptures I create but also about the experiences they facilitate, the environments they enhance, and the connections they foster between people and the natural world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Harmonywindharps.com, www.Crystaniumgongs.com
• Instagram: www.Instagram.com/crystaniumgongs , www.instagram.com/harmonywindharps
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crystaniumgongs, https://www.facebook.com/HarmonyWindHarps/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SoundscapesIntl
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/search?q=ross%20barrable

Image Credits

Pic #1-Tornado Memorial Wind Harp , Eldorado Ks. 2008
Pic #2- Ron McElliott Memorial Wind Harp, Chula Vista Marina, Ca. 20o1
Pic #3- Mercy Hospital Hospice Memorial, Durango CO. 2017
pic #4 -Durango Co. -Botanical Garden Wind Harp , 2022
Pic #5- Wind Harp Gong Ensemble , Private residence Pagosa Spgs CO. 2023
Pic #6- 38″ Solar Logos Gong- Crystanium® Gongs – 2024
Pic #7- 32″ Crystanium ® Gongs in outdoor gong stand -2024
Pic #8- Gong and folk Harp Ensemble , Pagosa Spgs Co. Amphitheater on San Juan River
All images are taken by Ross Barrable of sculptures created by Ross Barrable
Please insert the photos into the relevant sections of text that are talking about the photos ie Photo of Tornado memorial etc .