History

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  Although some historians claim that Chinese gongs predate the second millennium BC, it is certain that gongs were made and used at least during the first century, in which Chinese historians note the use of gongs to the Hsi Yu nation, a country in Central Asia near Tibet. China was one of the primary manufacturers of gongs. The Chinese and a handful of other Asian countries are known to have made seven different types of gongs.
  
  

Significance

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  Chinese gongs are more significant than just producers of sounds that accompany different types of ceremonies and activities. The very production of Chinese gongs was believed to be aided by divine powers. To make a Chinese gong is far more meaningful than molding metal. Gong makers believed that they were in the presence of the gods in their creation. For this reason, Chinese families held closely their secrets of gong production. The Chinese gongs that have the greatest spiritual value are Tibetan gongs, first used by Tibetan shamans and, later, by Tibetan Buddhists.
  
  

Function

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  Throughout Asian history, gongs have served many purposes. Gongs always have and still do accompany major life events such as births, deaths, rituals and festivals. In Tibetan and Zen Buddhist traditions all over the world, gongs call worshipers to focus and meditation. Artists hold concerts in which they play gongs for the enjoyment of audiences. Europeans have played Chinese gongs since the 18th century.
  
  

Types

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  There are a variety of sizes of Chinese gongs that enrich the activities that they attend. Ranging from 30 to 52 inches, Chinese gongs, also called Chau gongs, are used for political events. The larger of types of Chinese gongs are known and enjoyed for their resonant harmonics. Chau gongs are popular in the West. Gongs are struck with soft-headed mallets. One hits the gong in the area that surrounds the very center of the gong. Other types of Chinese gongs include Sabian and Wuhan gongs.
  
  

Effects

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  The manner in which one strikes a gong affects the sound that emanates from the instrument. Using one mallet or two creates different effects. Two mallets produce more complex harmonics and rhythms that one mallet. The art of priming is considered one of the most challenging ways to use a gong and generally is performed as a first stroke. Priming creates extremely low-level vibrations that are preparatory to the main stroke, which priming means to enliven. Depending on where one strikes a gong, different tones and harmonics are produced. Gong playing is an art and it can be fun to experiment with the many sounds, vibrations, rhythms and harmonics that gongs offer.