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KONG VONG TUCH
Description
The Kong Vong
Tuch is a tuned percussion instrument, with a
distinctive cart-wheel shape and it is used in the "Pin
Peat" orchestra.
The
instrument frame is made of four strips of cane,
hardwood or ivory. The four strips are cut and heated
over a flame in order to bend them to the right shape.
Supporting the two main semi- circular frames are the "Chierng
Tien" or struts. The Chierng Tien area also used to make
enough space for the gongs to hang without touching the
frame or the other gongs. At either end of the frame is
an ornamental carved piece of wood known as "Khawl" or "Khbang".
Within
the center of each gong plate is rounded raised bump,
known as the "Doh`" meaning breast or nipple. There are
sixteen gongs on the Kong Vong Tuch with the smallest on
the right and the largest on the left. The gongs are
hung from the frame using cow skin strings, which are
threaded through four holes on the edge of the gong
plate.
In
order to tune the gongs accurately, a mixture of bees
wax and lead is placed under the "Doh`" in the
center of
the gong. The lead is melted and stirred until it
becomes sticky and it is then left to cool. The bees wax
is heated separately and when it becomes a liquid it is
added to the lead.
According to the desired pitch of the gong, the quantity
of this mixture is gradually increased or lessened when
applied under the "Doh`". Usually the Kong Vong Tuch is
tuned against the 'Roneat" instrument.
Two
beaters are used to hit the center of the gong. The
heads are made of elephant hide and are cut in a
circular shape and wrapped around the top end of the
bamboo sticks, which are around 25 cm long.
note: click on the
sound link to listen to the sound of the instrument.
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