David Hickey

Crystal Journey and David Hickey performs with 8-10 Paiste Planet, Symphonic and Sound Creation Gongs. Every Gong features a strong fundamental note tuned to represent a natural harmonic series based on the orbital properties of the Sun, the Earth, the Moon and the other planets. This Theory is based upon Pythagorean Cosmology.

2 Persian Santoor's. The Santoor is an Indo-Persian trapezoid-shaped hammered dulcimer or string musical instrument made of walnut with seventy-two strings. It is the national musical instrument of Iran. It dates back to ancient time, Mesopotamia (1600-911 BC) and Babylonia. It's a Beautiful sounding instrument often sounding like a piano. The Gongs and Santoor are accompanied by 6-8 Quartz Crystal Singing Bowls. Each produces a pure note or tone, the purest there is.

Crystal Journey has been touring Canada and the US coast to coast for the past 22 years and has performed over 1700 shows. Crystal Journey has also released 9 CDs to date. I have played the Bowls and Gongs accompanied by various musicians as well as with the Winnipeg Chamber Orchestra in June of 2006.

As 2024 unfolds, I hope to create more awareness of my music through new recordings, a greater online presence and some live videos. The world and in particular the human race is at a crossroads. Music can help ease some of our stress and hostility. Each Crystal Journey concert is aimed at providing the audience with a safe and relaxing environment. Each of my performances are completely improvised, and unique. The music attracts a full range of listeners. My concerts are typically in two sets, each lasting about an hour in length.

My main musical inspirations are, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Gord Downie, John Lennon, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, The Who, Jerry Garcia to name a few.


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About The Instruments:

Paiste Gongs:
Planet Gongs are tuned to the natural harmonic series based on the orbital properties of the Earth, Moon, Sun, and Planets. All of these gongs resonate in harmony with the celestial bodies and communicate a distinct aspect of the Music of the Spheres, which was first documented by Pythagoras in the 6th Century BC. Each planet gong contributes a vital pitch to the total harmonic resonance of our solar system.

Crystal Bowls:
The bowls are made of 99.992% crushed quartz crystal that is heated to 4000 degrees in a centrifugal mold. The thickness of the bowl determines the note, digitally tuned to C D E F G A and B corresponding to the charkas, our energy centers; root (C), sacral (D), solar plexus (E), heart (F), throat (G), third eye (A), and crown (B). The diameter of the bowl determines the pitch, ranging from 6 inches to 22 inches.

The archetype of the instrument may be seen in a harp, carried horizontally and struck with two sticks, found in iconographical documents of the ancient Babylonian (1600-911 BCE) and neo-Assyrian (911-612 BCE) eras.

Persian Santoor:
Persian Santoor consists of a trapeziform case made of walnut wood, approximately 90 cm wide at the broad end, 36 cm wide at the narrow end and 6 cm deep. The strings are fixed to hitch-pins along the left-hand side and wound round metal wrest-pins on the right by means of which they are tuned with a tuning-key (Tuning Wrench). Each quadruple set of strings rests on a movable bridge of hardwood (kharak). The bridges are placed so that the strings are divided into three sections, giving the fundamental note and two higher octaves.

There are nine (or sometimes 10, 11 and 12) quadruple strings an either side so that, with 18 groups of strings, 27 different notes can be played. The bass strings are of brass or copper and the trebles of steel.

Persian Santoor is played by striking the strings with two light hammers (mezrab) held in three fingers of each hand. The ends of the sticks are usually covered with cloth to soften their impact on the strings.

Harmonica:
The harmonica, also known as a French harp or mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used worldwide in many musical genres, notably in blues, American folk music, classical music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. There are many types of harmonica, including diatonic, chromatic, tremolo, octave, orchestral, and bass versions. A harmonica is played by using the mouth (lips and tongue) to direct air into or out of one or more holes along a mouthpiece. Behind each hole is a chamber containing at least one reed. A harmonica reed is a flat elongated spring typically made of brass, stainless steel, or bronze.