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.

Sky News
Just for the record: the Oz Olympic music was phoney too
Scotsman, United Kingdom - 35 minutes ago
It turns out that Australia also knows a thing or two about miming music. Eight years after Sydney hosted what was dubbed "the best Olympic Games ever", ...
Sydney orchestra faked 2000 Olympics performance CTV.ca
Sydney Olympics Fakery Sky News
Sydney Olympics: best games ever? Independent Online
Wall Street Journal Blogs - CNN Internationalall 257 news articles

GM to offer radios with ports for music players
The Associated Press - 4 hours ago
DETROIT (AP) — General Motors Corp. says it will offer optional radios with USB ports for personal music players on some of its 2009 models. ...

Joy Online
Michael Jackson juggling career with fatherhood
Joy Online, Ghana - 59 minutes ago
Pop superstar Michael Jackson took an extended hiatus from the music industry because he wanted to watch his children grow up. Pop superstar Michael Jackson ...
Even Michael Jackson Grows Up…Doesn't He? E! Online
Michael Jackson at 50: The music is still welcome even if the man ... Palm Beach Post
MICHAEL JACKSON - JACKSON 'TRANSFORMED' BLACK MUSIC Contactmusic.com
TheShowBuzz - AHNall 248 news articles

ABC News
Britney's Made Her Mark, Says Pharrell
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 2 hours ago
Hip-hop mogul Pharrell Williams has advised Britney Spears not to worry if she fails to win an award at this year's MTV Video Music Awards -- because she is ...
Britney Spears will not appear in MTV Video Music Awards EnjoyFrance.com
Kid Rock: Playing MTV's Video Music Awards DetNews.com
MTV Marks its Return to Los Angeles for the '2008 MTV Video Music ... Earthtimes (press release)
Digital Spy - antiMUSIC.comall 507 news articles

MTV Video Music Awards: Pussycat Dolls will beat Britney Spears ...
Los Angeles Times, CA - 4 hours ago
I think that our two music kudos prophets — David "Guru" Schnelwar and Darrin "DoubleD" Dortch — have correctly forecast the winner of this MTV Video Music ...
MTV Tr3s and Calle 13 Partner to Unveil the Grammy Winning Duo's ... HispanicBusiness.com (press release)
IN BRIEF Fresno Bee (subscription)
all 5 news articles

Music Minute: Remembering Katrina
NPR - 37 minutes ago
All this week we've been ending our show with different pieces of music connected to the Democratic National Convention. But with the convention floor empty ...

Spare the Air Music Festival in Downtown Fullerton, CA, This ...
MarketWatch - 5 hours ago
FULLERTON, Calif., Aug 29, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- What: The 12th annual Spare the Air Music Festival, the largest festival of its kind in the ...

Salling Media Sync transfers music to your phone
Macworld, CA - 10 hours ago
by Jim Dalrymple, Macworld.com Salling Software released Salling Media Sync, a new utility that allows users to sync music from the their iTunes library to ...
Biz break: iPhone flaw could expose e-mail to unauthorized viewers San Jose Mercury News
all 19 news articles

The Celebrities: Music for all tastes as stars back their man
Independent, UK - 31 minutes ago
... was headlined by Crow, whose fan base includes flag-waving aficionados of country music who might normally be expected to have Republican sympathies. ...
John Legend, Will.I.Am perform 'Yes We Can' at DNC NECN
all 37 news articles

An Essential Report on Digital Media - Music MP3 & Podcasting
MarketWatch - 9 hours ago
Music has been the key driver behind the early developments in the digital media, both in mobile and fixed networks. While mobile is the preferred ...
Digital Music Trends Impact Auto Industry TMCnet
all 8 news articles

Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

ADIRONDACK versus SITKA SPRUCE