The bronze bell (pinyin: Tóng líng) is a musical instrument of the Miao and Zhuang nationalities. It is popular in Xilin and Longlin in western Guixi of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Yongning and Wuming in southern Guizhou. It is one of the eight tones of ancient musical instruments. The bell is also shaped like a bell, but much smaller than a bell. Made of copper, the appearance is spherical, and the specifications are different. The larger one is about 5 cm in diameter, and the smaller one is about 2 cm in diameter. The upper part of the bell is provided with a ring-shaped ear for hanging with a rope. The bottom of the bell has a long strip opening, and the length of the mouth is smaller than the diameter of the bell, and the width of the mouth follows the bell. The larger the bell, the wider the bell, the smaller the smaller the bell. The bell contains two iron balls slightly wider than the mouth of the bell. Usually three to five copper bells of the same size are attached to a circular frame or rope.
The most typical one is N bell, which is 4.8 cm high and 4.3 cm wide. It is said that it was unearthed in Anyang, about the Shang Dynasty. There is also Cheng Zhouling, 10 centimeters high and 6.6 centimeters wide, from the Western Zhou Dynasty. They are all flat in shape with bridge buttons on them. Its purpose is presumed by its size: the small bell is roughly an ornament on the flag, and the larger one is a musical instrument. "Zhou Li·Chun Guan" said: "The bell is rang in the great sacrifice to respond to the chicken people." In ancient times, in addition to using it as a musical instrument, bells were tied on cars, flags, and dogs and horses, but it was difficult to distinguish.
When playing, hold the ring frame or rope and shake it, and the iron beads in the bell hit the bell wall and make a rustling sound at the same time, the tone is crisp and sweet, and the atmosphere is warm. It is often used to accompany folk songs and dances, and is a rhythm instrument with local characteristics.