tamtam

A chef uses a tamtam to call the kitchen staff to a meeting.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of drum: "tamtam" refers to a large, flat, metal gong that is struck with a mallet, producing a deep, resonant sound. It is commonly used in orchestras and percussion ensembles.
   • A variant of "tom-tom": In some contexts, "tamtam" is an alternative spelling of "tom-tom," a small cylindrical drum often used in jazz and popular music, though this usage is less common and may cause confusion with the gong.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The percussionist struck the tamtam with a soft mallet, creating a sustained, eerie tone. (A large metal gong used in orchestral music.)
  • In the concert, the tamtam was played at the climax of the piece to add dramatic effect. (The gong produced a powerful, resonant sound.)

Advanced Usage

• "Tamtam" in orchestral scores: The tamtam is notated in musical parts and is distinct from the "gong," though it is a type of gong. It is typically suspended from a frame and struck in the center.

  • The composer specified a tamtam for the final movement, requiring a slow, deliberate strike. (The instrument was used for its deep, vibrating quality.)

• Cultural context: The tamtam is sometimes confused with the "tom-tom" drum, but in professional music terminology, it refers specifically to the metal gong. In some non-Western traditions, "tamtam" may denote a drum, but this is not standard in English.

Variants and Related Words

• Tom-tom (n): a small drum, often played in pairs, used in jazz and rock music.

  • The drummer set up two tom-toms on the kit for the solo. (Small cylindrical drums.)

• Gong (n): a broader term for any flat, circular metal disc that produces sound when struck, including the tamtam.

  • The gong in the temple was rung to signal the start of the ceremony. (A general term for such instruments.)

Synonyms

• Gong: a metal disc that produces a resonant sound when struck, often used interchangeably with "tamtam" in casual contexts.
• Percussion instrument: a general category for instruments struck to produce sound, including the tamtam.

Related Idioms

• "Strike a tamtam": an idiomatic expression meaning to make a loud, attention-grabbing sound or announcement.

  • The mayor struck the tamtam to declare the festival open. (He used the gong to signal the start.)

• "Like a tamtam in a silent room": a simile describing something that stands out dramatically or is shocking.

  • His sudden outburst was like a tamtam in a silent room. (It was loud and unexpected.)