What Makes a Gong Have a Different Pitch?

Gongs are typically made from a mixture of copper and tin.

Gongs are one of the oldest instruments, presumed by historians to be used before the second millennium B.C.E. A gong is a metal disk with a curved rim, that when struck, creates a resonating sound. Gongs have a deep history in Asia as well as Tibetan tradition. Gongs are used in celebration, to make music, communicate, meditate and in certain spiritual rituals.

History

The first written record of the gong was in China around 500 A.D. although they are believed to be much older. Records indicate that four main centers: Java, Annam, Burma, and China produced gongs. The tradition of gong making was a well-kept secret passed down through families. Gong makers believed that to make a successful gong, assistance was needed from a higher power. Since that time, sacred gongs have been inscribed with the Chinese characters "Tai Loi" meaning "happiness has arrived."

Types of Gongs

There are three main types of gongs. A Flat, or Wind, Gong, made without a rim. A Symphonic Gong, made with a rim or curved sides and a Boss gong, made with a rim and a raised dome-like center. Each gong has a different pitch depending on the type, size and mallet used. The sound also depends on where the gong is struck. Hitting a gong near the rim creates a gentle sound, while hitting it near the center would affect a heavier, more resonating pitch.

Pitch

The pitch of a gong depends on the thickness of the body. A very thick gong will produce a deep resonating sound, while a thin or bowl gong will produce a sound more akin to a bell. When a gong is hit the frequency enters our ears and vibrates on the basilar membrane. Humans have a great sensitivity to pitch and can keenly sense differences in hertz between 200 and 2,000.

Uses

In ancient times, gongs were used in ceremonies to indicate the presence of a person in power or to communicate to long distances. Some were loud enough for peasant workers to hear 50 miles away. Today gongs are used in symphonies, celebrations and spiritual ceremonies. Gongs are often used in yoga or meditation classes to end a session. They are also used in "house clearing," in which a gong is struck to release negative and stagnate energies.

References

• Frank Perry: Gongs
• Indiana University: How Do We Perceive Pitch?
• China Gongs: History of Gongs