Gongs - Resonating Sounds from the Orient

The gong is a percussion instrument – most usually a metal disc – which is played by hitting it with a mallet or beater. The word gong originates in Malayasia and the gong is very much a part of the cultural and musical heritage of Asia. There are three main varieties of musical gongs – suspended, bossed/nipple gongs and bowl gongs.

Type 1: The Suspended Gong

The suspended gong is usually more or less flat and circular and is hung by means of cords near the top. Suspended gongs are played with beaters and, in general, the larger the gong, the softer the beater.

Type 2: The Bossed or Nipple Gong

The bossed or nipple gong has a central raised boss or nipple, commonly of a different metal to the rest of the gong. These instruments are also often suspended and have a clear resonant tone with less shimmer than other gongs. These instruments have two distinct sounds depending on whether they are struck on the boss or next to it. They are also available in small sets which can be tuned to specific scales.

Type 3: The Bowl Gong

Bowl gongs are – as you’ve probably already guessed – bowl shaped. Most people know them by their other name - singing bowls. They rest on cushions or wood blocks and are a sort of cross-over instrument as they are also members of the bell family.

A Colorful History

Gongs have a long and colorful history in Eastern and Asiatic countries. In China, for instance, they were often used as a signal to alert peasants to come in from the fields, as some gongs can be heard up to 50 miles (80.5 kilometers) away. Traditionally, they were also used to announce the arrival or clear the way for important people. The number of strokes indicated the seniority of the officials, which was very helpful in the event of unexpected meetings as it neatly sorted out the problem of who should bow to whom.

The Gong In Western Music

The Chinese chau is the gong with which Westerners are most familiar. The first Western composers to incorporate these gongs – also known as tam-tams – were Rossini, Bellini and Wagner. Tam-tams can be as small as 7 inches (17.78 centimeters) in diameter or as large as 80 inches (2.03 meters). Nowadays, the tam-tam is a standard instrument in all orchestral percussion sections.

There are, literally, hundreds of types, sizes and uses for the gong as a percussion instrument. Another Western favorite – this time with rock bands – is the Wind or Lion gong. These are most commonly 22″ in diameter and played with a soft mallet to create a roaring, crashing sound.

Large flat gongs require enormous skill from a player as they often need to be ‘primed’ by being inaudibly hit before the main stroke in order to enhance the sound. Small suspended gongs are played with bamboo sticks or even western drum-sticks. Modern and experimental music will often incorporate gongs but as these style are looking for a wider variety of sounds all sorts of beaters are used to produce the desired sounds and tones.

The Healing Power of Gongs

Gongs – particularly bowl gongs (Tibetan Singing Bowls) – are used in many religious and healing rituals. There is a long-standing and widespread belief that the vibrations of these gongs have a beneficial effect on mind and body.

The rising and falling rhythms, sounds and vibrations of planetary gongs will transport you to other realms creating a deep harmony within and an extraordinary healing experience.

Miscellaneous

And finally, an advertisment from an online gong seller called Gongs Unlimited – it’s part of an advertisment for the 40″ Sub Atomic Chau Gong on Higgs Boson Stand (yes, you read that correctly). To be honest, I just couldn’t resist -