The Gong - An Instrument Everyone Can Play

What exactly is a Gong?

The gong is a musical instrument in the percussion family. A gong can have either a definite or an indefinite musical pitch. Usually gongs that produce a definite, specific tone are played with other specific-tone gongs in a setting like traditional Gamelan, or an innovative rock concert like the Grateful Dead.

Are there different types of gongs?

Gongs come in a variety of sizes, styles, and shapes. Like dialects of language or sects of religion, the instrument evolved differently in each location and culture it was used. Many gongs are flat, but some have a central dome, also called a nipple. The outside rim of the gong is usually turned down; it is not sharp-edged like a cymbal.

Generally, you can think of gongs as having two basic styles: Suspended and Bowl.

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

Bowl gongs are called such because they are literally bowl-shaped. They can rest on the ground or special cushions. Bowl gongs can be played in several different manners. A musician can bang a bowl gong 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 amalgam of other metals.

Although a lot of gongs are made in China, they are not mass produced like televisions or plastic toys. Each one is handmade.

If you hear a particular gong, like it and order that style, you must expect that the one you get may not sound exactly like the first one you heard. Minor differences are to be expected, and should be embraced. Don't worry though! Most gong styles, thanks to design specifics, maintain a similarity of tone to the untrained ear.

Andrew Borakove is a media writer and gong aficionado. He also is the proprietor of the internet store, Gongs Unlimited. http://www.gongs-unlimited.com

You can find more info on Gongs there, and all kinds of gongs and related instruments for sale.

---

The Flower Garden and New Age Piano Music

If you've ever looked at a flower garden, not only... Read More

Suzuki Violin Vs Traditional Violin

The Suzuki violin method has come to dominate the way... Read More

Flaming Guitars! Minarik Fuels The Excitement Of A New Generation Of Musicians

Celebrating an endorsement between G-Man Music and the fiery axe-makers... Read More

Lori Nuic Sparkles

A soulful vibe along with an amazing voice is what... Read More

How I Learned How To Play The Guitar After Giving Up In Disgust

I was 17 at the time (the Beatles era), and... Read More

Surf Waves With Jack Johnson

Lately I've been listening to some pretty cool music by... Read More

Try Some New Music!

Stuck in a music rut?It happens. After listening to your... Read More

Top 50 Music Quotations

Discover the phenomenonal complexity of music and reflect on the... Read More

New Age Music - What Is It Good For?

Let's face it. The world will not end if there... Read More

An Interview with Angus Young of ACDC - Why He Plays a Gibson SG

Steven: Maybe more than any other guitarist ever, you're inextricably... Read More

Free, Legal Music Online

Almost everyone has heard about the massive crack down on... Read More

What is Guitar Tablature and Can I Find It Online?

The guitar is one of the most popular musical instruments... Read More

Guitar Players...Get a Balanced Guitar Practice Diet

Do you have a wide variety of things that you... Read More

Chords or Melody First... Which is Best?

There are basically two ways you can compose a piece... Read More

Creating Stark Atmospheres

One of the things New Age pianist George Winston is... Read More

How to Make $30,000 with Your Music Before Years End

As an independent musician and/or recording artist, if you did... Read More

Art of the Recording Engineer: From Michael Jackson to Mutant Radio, Matt Forger Speaks Out

Interviewed by Scott G (The G-Man)G-Man: When people think of... Read More

RAP Music and Brain Washing Issues

I am not sure if anyone has been watching out... Read More

Origin of Erik Saties Gnossiennes

The 'trois Gnossiennes' (1890) is a set of dance-like pieces... Read More

Why Do Music Lovers Still Prefer to Buy Records?

In the late 1940's, the 45-RPM record replaced the 78-RPM... Read More

All About Eminem

Marshall Mathers, was born October 17, 72, and could be... Read More

Review: The Dissociatives - Self Titled

In 1994 Daniel Johns and his group Silverchair were catapulted... Read More

Guide to Finding Music Online

Are you frustrated because finding your favorite songs on the... Read More

Guitar Tuning Tips

Most new guitar players and even some experienced ones have... Read More

50 Cent

More so than any other music since the blues, hip-hop... Read More

Shut Up And Sing

What is it with these performers and their politics? Do... Read More

Songs Await Singer

I Want To Grow Old With You (C)Chorus: I want... Read More

Ouch, It Hurts When I Sing!

When I first set out to write this article about... Read More

Win Friends & Influence People Through Music -- Is It Possible?

The idea that studying music improves the social development of... Read More

Structure Of A Successful Music Website

Ideally each page of your website should serve a specific... Read More

Piano Lessons Can be Fun!

There are essentially two ways to learn piano - note... Read More

Guitarists...Are You A Victim and A Loser?

I was thinking today about THE most dangerous enemy of... Read More

Music: Uniting Nations, Dividing Generations

Cultures around the world since the beginning of time have... Read More