GONG (TAM-TAM)

Percussion 101Lesson Menu

This series of videos will cover all of the fundamentals for tam-tam instrument characteristics, setup, maintenance, implement selection and playing techniques.

To get the most out of the content available, we recommend that you download and print a copy of the Percussion 101 Snare Drum Study Guide and fill out the questions as you watch the videos. The questions in the study guide are listed in the order of the content presented in the videos.

After watching the videos and filling out the study guide, you’re ready to test your knowledge by taking our online quiz. The questions and answers on the test randomized and may have slightly different language than the study guide, so we recommend reviewing the material BEFORE attempting the quiz!

Ready to get started?

Download the Percussion 101: Tam-Tam Study Guide

Watch the videos below

AFTER YOU'VE WATCHED THE VIDEO, SEE IF YOU CAN ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:

1. Technically, what is the difference between a gong and a tam tam?

2. When selecting a tam tam, what should you look for?

3. Describe the type of stand and mounting cable that you should use for a tam tam.

4. Describe the best general position for the instrument and performer.

AFTER YOU'VE WATCHED THE VIDEO, SEE IF YOU CAN ANSWER THIS QUESTION:

Which are appropriate mallet choices for the tam tam? What should be avoided?

AFTER YOU'VE WATCHED THE VIDEO, SEE IF YOU CAN ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:

1. Describe the appropriate beating area on the tam tam

2. What should you do immediately before striking a note on the tam tam?

3. Describe the proper way to roll on the tam tam.

4. Why should you practice playing the tam tam when it’s so easy to play?

AFTER YOU'VE WATCHED THE VIDEO, SEE IF YOU CAN ANSWER THIS QUESTION:

Describe a few of the various types of effects that can be created on the tam tam.

ESSENTIAL GONG/TAM-TAM MALLETS

TAKE THE ONLINE QUIZ TO TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE!

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Percussion 101: Tam Tam

This quiz tests the fundamentals of tam tam instrument characteristics, setup, maintenance, mallet selection and essential playing techniques. Before taking this test, it's recommended that you view the training videos for concert bass drum on the Vic Firth Percussion 101 webpage.

If you pass the quiz with a 70% or higher score, you will be given the option to send or receive a Certificate of completion with the score from the test.  For your privacy, no names or email addresses will be stored, nor will you be added to any marketing or company email lists. This option is purely for your (or your teacher's) use.

We hope that you enjoy using this educational tool. Good Luck!

1 / 11

What is the best way to muffle the tam tam?

2 / 11

Which is the best general area to play the tam tam?

3 / 11

Technically, what is the difference between a gong and a tam tam?

4 / 11

Which are proper methods of mounting a tam tam? (Select all that apply)

5 / 11

Why should you practice playing the tam tam when it's so easy to play?

6 / 11

When selecting a Tam Tam, what should you look for?

7 / 11

You should never scrape the tam tam with a coin or metal triangle beater because it could damage the instrument.

8 / 11

It is advantageous to "warm up" the tam tam before striking a loud note.

9 / 11

Which are proper ways to roll on a tam tam? (Select all that apply)

10 / 11

Which are appropriate mallet choices for the tam tam? (Select all that apply)

11 / 11

The best way to position yourself when playing the tam tam is to stand behind it so that you can roll with both hands.

Thanks for taking the quiz! If you pass the test with a 70% or above, a "Certificate of Achievement" can be emailed to the address that you supply below. For your privacy, no names or email addresses will be collected or stored, nor will your information be added to any marketing campaigns or other email lists.

If you only wish to see your score (without being emailed a certificate), select the "See Result" option without filling in your name and email address.

Your score is

PLAYER FAVORITES:

TEACHERS:

Vic Firth’s Percussion 101 and online tests are a great resource to implement in YOUR curriculum.Please take a moment to read the FAQ to find out more!

The PERCUSSION 101 project is a series of video lessons that provide students and instructors alike with a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental techniques for the most common percussion instruments.

The curriculum for this series was compiled by members of Vic Firth’s Collegiate Educator Program which includes some of the most influential university instructors in the country. The series covers instrument characteristics, maintenance routines, tuning, mallet selection and general playing techniques on the instruments. In addition, rehearsal techniques & exercises will help you to develop a great fundamental percussion program.

This project was originally developed for use in the college percussion methods class – to serve as instruction for non-percussionists who will be charged with teaching percussion in the schools. It quickly developed into a resource to find quick answers to common questions after these students went in the field.

After we began to see what a truly valuable resource this was, we began to integrate study guides and online tests so that percussion students could also take advantage of the information. After all, how much time do you REALLY have in your classroom or private lesson studio to cover all of the percussion instruments fully? Generally, we fix the problems with gaps in knowledge as they occur instead of proactively covering all of our basics!

Whether you are a college percussion methods instructor, a band or orchestra director or a private percussion lesson teacher, we’ve made this resource a valuable “HANDS-OFF” teaching resource! The information for all of the instruments is presented in a series of videos which cover all the fundamentals, so student can watch on their own. Here are some recommendations for implementing this in your curriculum:

AS HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT OR CLASSROOM ACTIVITY: On each instrument “module”, there is a STUDY GUIDE that students can download. This study guide will keep them on-task by asking simple questions on information that was included in the video (in sequential order). Simply assign an instrument to the student (giving him or her the appropriate link on our website), hand them a printed study guide, then collect the study guide as proof that they watched the videos!

AS A TEST: We have constructed a TEST based on the Study Guide (with the questions mixed up and slightly altered). Obviously would like to avoid letting students download the test itself. Send us a note and we’ll be happy to email you a PDF copy that you can print and use in your classroom (to keep students from requesting the test, please email us from a school or ISD email account).

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