Copper gongs, also known as mountain gongs, are called "black gongs" because they do not have polished edges or gong centers and are marked with black paint. They have the longest history of use and the widest range of application.In ancient times, from the emperor's court to the military officials' inspections, and even to the people's festive celebrations, the gong was an indispensable part.
Modern gongs, with varying specifications and diverse uses, weigh between 1.5 to 44 kilograms. They are divided into three sizes: small gongs with a diameter of 30 to 45 centimeters, which are used in Peking opera and other dramas. They are also often used in folk weddings to open the way, hence they are also known as the opening gong. Medium-sized gongs with a diameter of 50 to 70 centimeters are often used by medium-sized and small-scale singing and dancing troupes, orchestras, or parades. Large gongs over 80 centimeters in diameter are used by large singing and dancing troupes and symphony orchestras. Since the founding of New China, the Central Chinese Music Orchestra has presented large gongs as precious gifts to some famous orchestras from the former Soviet Union, Germany, North Korea, Poland, and the United States that came to perform and engage in cultural exchanges in China. This has become a well-known story in the international music community.
The material for the kaidaolu (opening gong) is made of copper, producing a particularly deep and resonant sound with a long echo, crafted entirely by hand. In ancient times, when officials were traveling, their servants would knock the gong to clear the way. The ritual of knocking the gong to clear the way had specific meanings: when a county official traveled, seven knocks were made, signifying "all civilians and soldiers should step aside"; when a prefectural official traveled, nine knocks were made, meaning "all officials, soldiers, and civilians should clear the way"; and when a commander-in-chief or higher official traveled, thirteen knocks were made, signifying "all military and civil officials, soldiers, and civilians should clear the way."

The body of a gong is a circular arc surface, often made of copper. It is fixed by the frame around its perimeter. The gong hammer is a wooden mallet. There are various sizes of gong bodies, including small ones.The gong is played by holding the body with the left hand and striking it with the right hand. For large gongs, they are hung on a gong stand for playing. Instrument features: It belongs to a metal body sound instrument.instrumentIt has no fixed pitch. Its sound is deep, loud, and strong, with a long and lasting echo.

Structure Composition

The gong consists of three parts: the gong body, the gong stand (gong rope), and the gong mallet (Figure 6). The gong body is made of copper, and because it is made of "resonant copper," it is also known as a "resonant instrument." The structure is relatively simple. The gong body is in the shape of a round disc, and it is fixed by the side frame around it. It is struck in the central part to vibrate and produce a sound.
The general central part is slightly convex, known as the "umbilicus", "light" or "hall", which is the main part of the sound. The size and thickness of the umbilicus, and the ratio of the size of the gong to the area, determine the pitch of the sound. There are also cases where the central part is flat without an umbilicus or protrudes into a semi-circular spherical shape, all of which constitute the main characteristics of the gong. The area between the umbilicus and the edge of the gong is called the "gong face", "second position" or "inner and outer eight characters", and there are two gong holes drilled on one side of the gong edge to wear the gong rope, which is convenient for carrying or hanging the gong stand. Over the long term, through the continuous meticulous creation of the people of all ethnic groups, due to the different applications of regions and occasions, a variety of gongs with unique characteristics have been formed in China. According to the shape characteristics, it can be divided into flat gong, umbilical gong and mammary gong three categories; according to the sound high and low, it can be divided into low-pitched gong, medium-pitched gong and high-pitched gong three categories; according to the performance form, it can be divided into single-sided gong and combined gong two categories.
Among these gongs, there are small ones with diameters of only a few centimeters, and large ones with diameters exceeding one meter and a half. Not only are their shapes different, but their timbres and effects also have their own characteristics. Currently, the more commonly used gongs can simply be divided into four categories: big gongs, small gongs, palm gongs, and cloud gongs. Big gongs produce lower sounds, with holes drilled in the edge and ropes tied, which are lifted or hung on a frame with the left hand, and played with a mallet in the right hand; Small gongs produce higher sounds, with a sloped surface and three sizes of bell centers (large, medium, and small), which are distinguished by high, medium, and low pitches. The edges of the small gongs have no holes and are not tied with ropes. They are lifted by the knuckle of the left index finger at the inner edge of the gong, and played with a gong board in the right hand; The palm gong is the smallest of the gongs, with a flat surface without a center, shaped like a plate, placed in the palm of the left hand, and played with a gong board in the right hand; Cloud gongs are musical instruments that can play melodies, composed of ten small gongs, tied to a wooden frame with ropes, held by the handle with the left hand, and played with a mallet in the right hand. Since the 1960s, this combination of brass gongs has developed rapidly, and new varieties have appeared, such as sets, rows, editions, pianos, 29-tone cloud gongs, 36-tone and 38-tone cloud gongs, etc.
gamut of Chinese traditional music, but also in modern music, film, television, and other fields.'Chinese opera、variety artsAnd also used in singing and dancing accompaniment, it is also a celebration gathering.Dragon Boat Racing、舞狮子、欢庆丰收和劳动竞赛中不可缺少的乐器。

The gong pieces together all the fragmented days in the village, forming a circle, allowing dreams to echo within. The gong sound is the simplest language of the village.Gongs express sentiment in a straightforward and straightforward way, with a pure rural rhythm. When the sun rises, the sun is the gong; when the sun sets, the moon is the gong. The gong is the rut left by the farmer's wheel. After experiencing the wind and rain of life, the rough melody and rough rhythm connect countless yesterdays into a strong color of folk songs of the Hakka people.The stars move and the dous changeWith the change of seasons, the sound of gongs echoes along the country paths, sometimes abruptly pausing in vigilance, sometimes infecting the distance with a passionate tone. Saving the moon is the most heroic chapter in the countryside.
From the crescent to the full moon, the gong has experienced the vicissitudes of life. The gong's rise and fall is profound, and the villagers use their calloused hands to shine the most auspicious days through the gong. The dark and loyal faces, the shiny and unyielding backs, the farmers straighten up after bending over the plow in the gong sound, and the hardworking character is tempered like the gong, bright and shiny. The gong sound is powerful and resonant, shaking the soul, and the village is no longer hidden in the lunar calendar. Who holds the mallet of fate, who can strike the loud dream in their hearts, and strike the strong sound of life.