Gongs

Gongs are percussion instruments consisting of a circular metal disc that is struck to produce a resonant sound. Most gongs are made of bronze or brass, cast or forged, and often feature a raised center called a boss. They are typically suspended from a frame or mounted on a stand and struck with wooden, rubber, or felt mallets. Flat, unbossed discs known as tam-tams are used in Western orchestras and produce a diffuse, indefinite pitch.

Gongs occur in many cultures, especially across Southeast Asia and East Asia. In Southeast Asia, gongs are central to traditional ensembles, such as gamelan, where a family of suspended gongs of various sizes provides long, ringing tones that articulate the musical structure. In East Asia, gongs have ritual and ceremonial roles and appear in theatre, opera, and martial contexts. In both regions, players adjust striking technique and mallet choice to shape attack, decay, and timbre.

In modern music, gongs are used in orchestral works, film scores, and various world-music contexts. They can be struck softly for delicate bell-like tones or struck forcefully for a loud, crashing sound. The sound of a gong depends on its size, thickness, alloy, and the striking point, as well as the mallet used. Gongs thus range from bright, sustained bells to deep, resonant crashes and continue to serve cultural functions while also appearing in contemporary performance.