Kong ring
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(*Idiochord tube zithers - Heterochord tube zithers with extra resonator.)
.jpg) Musician sings and plucks the strings of his kong ring គង់រេង (tube zither), in Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia. | |
| String instrument | |
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| Classification | Plucked string instrument |
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The kong ring or gung treng (Khmer: គង់រេង) is a Cambodian tube zither, in which a tube of bamboo is used as a resonator for stings that run along the outside of the tube, lengthwise.[1][2] It has the same musical purpose as the "bossed gongs" (circular gongs that have a rounded bump in the center, like a shield boss) and may substitute for them and accompany singing.[3] Although it is a traditional instrument with a long history, it has been improved on in modern times. The kong ring is represented by similar instruments in other countries of South Asia and the Pacific.
Traditional
There are two different syles; the traditional uses bamboo to make the sounding strings, and a more modern style uses new materials.[4]
Originally, the strings played were created by cutting the outer layer or crust of the bamboo, to separate 7 strings (leaving them attached to the tube at each end), and placing a bridge pressed underneath at each end.[4][2] Resonance holes were cut under the strings, long and narrow.[2]
New materials
Instead of creating strings from bamboo, metal strings can also be used, attached with pegs.[2][5] A resonator gourd may also be added; this may be less a resonator than a way to stabilize the instrument as it is held against the chest.[3]
