The gong is one of the most well known Oriental musical instruments, as it is easy to play and creates a sound almost identical to the name. The gong consists of a slightly concave piece of metal which hangs from a wooden or metal stand and vibrates when it is hit with a wrapped mallet on one end. This vibration makes a loud, echoing sound and is usually only used at the beginning or ends of songs or to mark a change in the tone of the Oriental music.
The biwa lute is a Japanese tear drop lute which was used in court music to accompany classic poems. It creates a type of ethereal and classically Oriental feel, like you are gazing out over mist-filled valleys of Asia filled with mystery and wonder. These lutes sound like high-pitched acoustic guitars and have either four or five strings, depending on the music which is being played. The chikusen biwa, which is the most modern and common form of this instrument, though there are a number of these lutes which have been used in the past, creating different sounds for different settings. These sounds could be investigated for composing a very unique piece of Oriental music.
The traditional Asian harp has a slightly different sound then harps used in European music, though they are still very similar in design and tone. However, harps in Oriental music are often the centerpieces in many songs and sometimes the only instrument used. These harps produce a mysterious, mythical sound which has become a staple of Oriental music. These harps are also often used at the beginning of many pieces of Oriental music to set the tone.