One of the first composers to use the gong in his works was Richard Wagner. He was a celebrated composer, conductor and musical theorist among others, in the 19th century. The gong became an important member of the percussion section of a modern symphony orchestra. The fine use of the gong is demonstrated in the symphonies of Gustav Mahler, Dmitri Shostakovich and Sergei Rachamaninov and many other composers. They usually term it the tam-tam or gong gong. Unlike other percussions, the gong has a reverberating sound which cannot be imitated by other percussion instruments. They function not only as rhythm but also melody and harmony. It is commonly referred to as “the backbone” or “the heartbeat” of a musical ensemble which works in close collaboration with bass instruments when present.