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CHING-CHUNG
Description
The
Ching is a simple percussion instrument. Made of brass
mixed with copper, it consists of two small plates
around 8cm in diameter. By using two kinds of metal, the
sound produced is much sharper than if only one is used.
The
center of the two plates are raised and though the
middle of each one, a hole is bored in order to pass
through a piece of string. The string is attached to
both plates and the Ching player uses the string to
strike the plates together without actually touching the
metal, thus allowing the player to make a clear sound.
The
sound produced when striking the plates just on the
edges is a clear “Ching” sound, hence the name. When
the plates are directly closed over each other, the
sound is a dampened “Chhop”.
The
Ching is popular in a variety of folk ensembles,
despite being a small, simple instrument with only two
sounds.
note: click on the
sound link to listen to the sound of the instrument.
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