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Chinese Musical Instruments - Instrument 15
Gong- Percussion Instrument
A gong South East Asian musical percussion instrument that takes the form of a
flat, circular metal disc which is hit with a mallet. It originated in China
and later spread to Southeast Asia.
Gongs are broadly of three types. Suspended gongs are more or less flat,
circular discs of metal suspended vertically by means of a cord passed through
holes near to the top rim. Bossed or nipple gongs have a raised centre boss and
are often suspended and played horizontally. Bowl gongs are bowl-shaped, and
rest on cushions and belong more to bells than gongs. Gongs are made mainly
from bronze or brass but there are many other alloys in use.
Gongs produce two distinct types of sound. A gong with a substantially flat
surface vibrates in multiple modes, giving a "crash" rather than a tuned note.
This category of gong is sometimes called a tam-tam to distinguish it from the
bossed gongs that give a tuned note. The use of the term "gong" for both these types of
instrument is common.
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