Korng Thomm gongs - This Cambodian instrument is a large gong circle in which the performer sits in the middle surrounded with up to 16 brass/copper tuned gongs. 

The korng thom plays a melodic line in the Cambodian pinpeat ensemble almost identical to that of the roneat thung (large xylophone). The korng thom dwells more steadily on the pulse without pulling or delaying the beat (melody). The player uses soft mallets for indoor performance, hard ones for outdoors.

The korng thom maker creates sixteen bossed gongs made of copper with a bronze mixture. He suspends them on rattan frames in a circle around the player. He tunes the individual gongs by dripping into the upturned boss a mixture of mud-lead, rice husks, and beeswax.

The kong thom's smaller cousin is called kong toch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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