The Gong - An Instrument Everyone Can Play

What exactly is a Gong?

The tam-tam is a musical instrument in the drumming family. A tam-tam can have got either a definite or an indefinite musical pitch. Usually tam-tams that green goods a definite, specific tone of voice are played with other specific-tone tam-tams in a scene like traditional Gamelan, or an advanced stone concert like the Grateful Dead.

Are there different types of gongs?

Gongs come up in a assortment of sizes, styles, and shapes. Like idioms of linguistic communication or religious sects of religion, the instrument evolved differently in each location and civilization it was used. Many tam-tams are flat, but some have got a cardinal dome, also called a nipple. The outside rim of the tam-tam is usually turned down; it is not sharp-edged similar a cymbal.

Generally, you can believe of tam-tams as having two basic styles: Suspended and Bowl.

Suspended gongs, which are more than flat, are called such as because they are literally suspended. They are hung vertically using a chord that is passed through holes stopping point to the rim. Suspended tam-tams are played with a mallet or bamboo stick.

Bowl tam-tams are called such as because they are literally bowl-shaped. They can rest on the land or particular cushions. Bowl tam-tams can be played in respective different manners. A instrumentalist can knock a bowl tam-tam with a mallet, but might also rub the rim with his or her finger to elicit a whole other sound.

How are they made?

Gongs are constructed of hammered metal. Most are made out of bronze or brass, but with an dental amalgam of other metals.

Although a batch of tam-tams are made in China, they are not large-scale produced like telecastings or plastic toys. Each 1 is handmade.

If you hear a peculiar gong, like it and order that style, you must anticipate that the 1 you acquire may not sound exactly like the first 1 you heard. Child differences are to be expected, and should be embraced. Don't worry though! Most tam-tam styles, thanks to plan specifics, keep a similarity of tone of voice to the untrained ear.