The body of the drum is made of wood in a
tubular shape with the ends slightly tapered. A string is passed through the
holes pierced on the edge of each of its faces and strung across it in a zigzag
fashion to regulate its tension.
The sound obtained from one face is five tones
higher than the other. The sound of the trong com is a little dull,
somewhat similar to the large-sized dan
ho, and it is used to express sadness.
The trong com is one of the percussion
instruments used to accompany tuong
or cheo drama. Its use has also
spread to cai luong (reformed opera)
and other orchestras. The player, when standing, has the trong com slung
over his stomach. When sitting he rests his instrument on his lap. He strikes
the faces of the drum with his fingers with varied style.