In Chinese history, gongs are mentioned around 500 A.D.,
attributed to a nation called HIS YU between Tibet and Burma
during the reign of emperor Hsuan Wu. In ancient China, gongs
were used to indicate the beginning and ending of a session,
especially in court. As a musical instrument, the gong accompanied
celebrations, funeral ceremonies, songs, and theater plays.
In the music of the Asian high cultures, the gong was used
as an orchestral instrument.
A gong is a round metal plate, usually made from a mixture
of copper and tin. Some of gongs are suspended from a stand
by a cord that goes through two holes in the gongĄ¯s edge.
There are a number of different types of gongs. The chao gong
is for meditation and music (as well traditionally to announce
the arrival of a government official and for warning people
to clear the street), the wind gong is for healing and lion
dance. (Hand hammered brass, with beater; rich, full sound.
Stand sold separately). Today gongs are used to begin and
end meditation, yoga, church, and spiritual studies.
When played, the gong player first warms up a large gong
by hitting it gently around a circle outside the center of
the gong. This starts the gong vibrating. Then the player
may hit the center hard, creating a bone-rattling sound that
keeps ringing, softer and softer, until the gong finally stops
vibrating. Gongs used in symphony orchestras are tuned to
different pitches. The pitch of a gong is determined by how
thick or thin it is.
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