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KONG VONG THOM
Description
The Kong Vong
Thom is used in the "Pin Peat" orchestra. There are both
large and small versions of this instrument.
The
circular frame of the Kong is made of bamboo and the
round gongs are hung horizontally by cane strings across
two bamboo frames on the upper of the structures. There
are sixteen gongs made of brass, which produce a
pleasant, mellow sound. The pitch varies according to
the size of the gong plate. The larger lower- pitched
plates are placed on the left, while the smaller higher
sounding plates are on the right.
Each
gong plate has four holes through which are laced pieces
of string made of cow or other animal skin. In the
center of each plate is a small knob which is often
referred to as the "Doh`" (breast or nipple).
Within
the hollow of each "Doh`" is pushed a mixture of lead
and bees wax. The mixture of lead and bees wax is made
using the following process: The lead is melted and then
removed from the heat and left to cool, the melted bees
wax is then added to the mixture. This process is used
for a number of other instruments.
The
amount of lead and bees wax pushed into the hollow,
depends on the tone and pitch desired. Perhaps as much
as half a kilo of bees wax and two kilos of lead are
used for the entire instrument.
The
beaters are made of wooden handles, (around 14 cm) with
the heads made of water buffalo or elephant hide, which
is cut in a circular shape to cover the tops of the
handles.
note: click on the
sound link to listen to the sound of the instrument.
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