Gong 鑼

Gong 鑼

Chinese music, Sound

It is an percussion instrument that takes the form of a flat, circular metal disc which is hit with a mallet.

Northern and Southern Dynasties (420–589 AD)

Metallic, Diameter of 50 cm-150 cm

Craft

Gongs are made mainly from bronze or brass but there are many other alloys in use. They are made of a bronze alloy composed of a maximum of 22 parts tin to 78 parts copper, but in many cases the proportion of tin is considerably less. This alloy is excessively brittle when cast and allowed to cool slowly, but it can be tempered and annealed in a peculiar manner to alleviate this. When suddenly cooled from red heat, the alloy becomes so soft that it can be hammered and worked on the lathe then hardened by reheating

Bronze / Brass / Copper

The gong is struck by a large round or flat-faced mallet, creating a powerful, rich, and resonant sound. Because of its legato character, the instrument is not suitable for playing rapid rhythms. In Shen Yun dances, the Chinese gong is often used to enhance the music’s power, accentuate its beat, or express sacred solemnity. Its sound demands and immediately gets attention.