tam-tam

musical instrument

Also known as: Chinese gong

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July 14, 2026

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The term "tam-tam" primarily refers to a gong, especially one that is part of a tuned set used in a gamelan orchestra. It can also be used interchangeably with "tom-tom". A tom-tom is typically a drum, often long and narrow with a small head, played with the hands. The word "tam-tam" originates from Hindi and Urdu.12

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gong
…gong of indefinite pitch (called tam-tam in the West); beginning in the late 20th century, some composers called for such gongs to be played by passing a violin bow along the edge. Occasionally, orchestral music calls for the use of deep-rimmed gong chimes. Acoustically, steel drums of the type originated…
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…gong of indefinite pitch (called tam-tam in the West); beginning in the late 20th century, some composers called for such gongs to be played by passing a violin bow along the edge. Occasionally, orchestral music calls for the use of deep-rimmed gong chimes. Acoustically, steel drums of the type originated…
Read More