Just curious on this...does a gong get classified as a cymbal as well, or is it something else?

That's a really good question. I've never thought about that. Honestly,I lean towards no, because like a cymbal, gong's are a completely separate instrument. And I think a lot of that would have to do with the way each one is made, the amount of material used, the instrumentation and playing technique.

Another reason I would guess no, is there are two types of instruments in the "gong" family; the tam-tam and of course, the gong.

Tam-Tam
Look exactly like a gong except they are completely flat, with no curve to the plate at all. Tam-Tam's also produce a brighter and more vibrant tone.

Gong
The traditional Chinese gong is slightly thicker than the tam-tam. The gong also has a noticeably curved plate and a raised point in the center. The gong produces a darker more resonant tone.

The sound of either can be altered depending on what you use to play it. Quarter scrapes create a quick sharp sound that attacks and dies quickly depending on how fast or slow you scrape. Then you can take any string instrument bow, slide it across the edge of the plate and produce a low sustained note. Even different mallet choices produce different sounds. A hard felt mallet will produce a bland general use tone. A soft sheepskin mallet will produce a very warm and inviting tone. A very soft felt mallet will produce a cold and dark tone.

So it's in its own family? Hmm...I'm going to do some more research on this. I'll see what I can find. Thanks for the help!

Look on Wikipedia -- which is never wrong about anything -- and you'll also see some potlike gongs that are used in gamelan ensembles.

Shackman, after looking some more, yes I believe the gong is in it's own family. Within the gong family, there are separate names for different sized gongs. The Gong Gede, or just gong, is the largest and deepest. The Kempur is a medium sized gong with a brighter sound and an octave higher pitch. The Klentong is the smallest gong and has a very sharp attack and pitch.

I will have to check out the gamelan potlike gongs. They may be molded Klentong gong's or even a completely separate instrument.

I did some checking with my handy-dandy Harvard Music Dictionary, and apparently they are their own family. Weehoo!

Sorry to jump in so late, but this is just too interesting to stay out of! Just to add:

I think what also may set them apart from cymbals is that they have a flat plane whereas a cymbal will be concave with a bell. So a gong will have at least 3 like depths across the face while a cymbal will only ever have 2 (besides china's). Gongs are traditionally flat and have small rings or "nipples" all around which I think is plenty enough proof to say they are in a family of their own!

drumguydave - great info!

I'm glad to know that having "nipples" is one of the attributes that set them apart...:)

It's is an interesting subject, I would never think that a gong wouldn't be a cymbal...

OK, then they are mammals.




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Obviously, mammals...