How to Learn About Gongs

Most gongs are suspended, and look like large metallic discs.

Learning about gongs can help you appreciate the rich history that these instruments have and how they are played. There are many different types of gongs, including planet gongs, wind gongs and tiger gongs, and each of these instruments has minor differences that separate them from other gongs. Gongs can be classified as percussion instruments, and are basically large brass discs that are hit with a mallet to produce sound. You can learn about gongs by finding out about the different types, where gongs come from, their history and how to play them.

Instructions

1. Visit websites that have information on gongs. DSO Kids, Art Drum and Frank Perry (see Resources) are three examples of websites with information about gongs. Use DSO Kids to find out basic information about the instrument. Gongs can be classified as percussion instruments because they make sound by the hitting of one body against another, such as in the case of drums.

2. Click on the "Gong History" link on Art Drum or visit Frank Perry to find out about the history of gongs. Gongs were first recorded in history in 500 B.C. in China, but it is assumed that they were first invented before 2000 B.C. Java, Annam, Burma (Myanmar) and China were thought to be the main manufacturers of gongs. The making of gongs was originally believed to have required power beyond that of humans. Find out about the uses of gongs in history. Traditionally, gongs were used for music, making announcements, meditation and healing.

3. Find out about the different types of gongs. Read about them on Art Drum by clicking on the "Gong Types" link, or read about them on Frank Perry. Planet gongs have been specifically designed to produce a note that matches the fundamental frequency of the planets. For example, the "Earth" gong has a pitch of C sharp, as this was calculated to be the frequency of Earth by Swiss musicologist Hans Cousto. The wind gong is a suspended gong that is flat in shape and produces a shimmering sound when struck.

4. Learn about gong-playing techniques by clicking on the "Gong Playing" link on Art Drum. Find out about the different types of beaters that are used to hit the gong, such as mallets, wooden beaters and even bamboo drumsticks. Learn about "priming" techniques, which are used to set the gong vibrating before performing a full strike. Other techniques used when playing gongs include spinning the gong to create a warping sound as the gong spins and resonates.

References

• Art Drum: Gong History
• Art Drum: Gong Types
• Art Drum: Gong Playing

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Art Drum: Gongs!
• DSO Kids: Gong, Instrument
• Frank Perry: Gongs