Gong and Tam-tam
Gongs and tam-tams are easily confused with one another. A gong, generally, is a large hung cymbal with a "nipple". As such, they are usually known as nipple gongs. This nipple is a small dome in the centre of the cymbal that produces a single note when struck with a soft beater. Conversely, a tam-tam has no nipple, and so has a flat central area. When this cymbal is struck with a beater, (most usually a soft beater) it produces a myriad of sounds with no single overruling note.
One can distinguish the two by ear by following a simple method. A gong sounds like a slightly muffled church bell, producing a soft but clear note, whereas the tam-tam sounds much more like a large metal object being struck by a hard material.
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