Traditional Malay Instruments Done By: Jasmine Chua 2g

Introduction The musical instruments of peninsular Malaysia can be classified into four categories.  Aerofons are wind instruments. Cordofons are stringed instruments which are either plucked or bowed.  Idiofons are percussive instruments which are struck or shaken.  Membranofons, the largest group, are drums and they get their name from the skin or membrane which is stretched over the instrument to produce its sound when struck. Today, I will introduce a few instruments from each of these four groups.

Aerofons ( Wind instruments )

Serunai The serunai is a reed wind instrument.  It is hand-carved, and is usually highly ornamented with intricate detailing and painting.  Much like western reed instruments, the serunai is made in varying lengths which affect its register.  In western musical terminology, these might be called “soprano“, “alto”, or “tenor“.  In Malay, the instrument is referred to as anak (i.e. small or child), or ibu (i.e. large or parent).  The design of the serunai reed is similar to that used in the bassoon or English horn.  The serunai is played using a technique known as "circle breathing" or "cycle breathing."  In this technique air is drawn in through the nose as it is simultaneously blown through the instrument.  The resulting sound is constant note or drone.

Cordofons ( String Instruments )

Gambus The gambus is much like the "lute."  Its twelve strings (six pairs of two) are plucked with a plectrum or "pick."  Unlike western instruments such as the mandolin, the gambus has no frets.  The gambus appears to have evolved from an Arabic instrument called the ud. It is similar in appearance, tuning and performance style.

( Percussive Instruments ) Idiofons ( Percussive Instruments )

Canang ( Struck ) The canang is made from two gongs which are suspended by light ropes in a wooden frame.  The gongs are of differing diameters.  The smaller gong is the anak (child) and is eight to ten inches in diamter.  The larger is the ibu (parent) and is ten to twelve inches in diameter.  The gongs are hand-cast from brass and hand-shaped to achieve the desired tone.  The canang is struck with a mallet for performance.

Angklung ( Shaken ) The anklung is made from bamboo.  The hollow bamboo resonates when struck and the length of the bamboo determines its pitch or frequency.  The anklung is comprised of two or three bamboo resonators which are tuned to complimentary notes.   Small disks of bamboo are fixed to strike the bamboo resonators.  To play the instrument it is shaken, sometimes rapidly or it short bursts.   The anklung is made in many different sizes and can therefore produce many tones.  Often many musicians will perform using dozens of anklungs in manner similar to western "hand-bell choirs."

Membranofons ( Drums )

Geduk Gedombak The gedombak is covered by a skin or head on one end, and is open on the other.  It is normally played while seated, with the gedombak tucked under one arm.  Is played by slapping the head with the hands in a style somewhat similar to the conga or djembe. The geduk is covered by a skin or head on both ends of the hollow wooden cylinder.  It is played by striking it with mallets.  The geduk is played in pairs with a larger ibu and a smaller anak.

Other Instruments Aerofons Membranofons Cordofons Idiofons Bamboo flute Tetuang Nafiri Selengut Seruling Sheng Batak Kercing Gendang Tabla Jidur Tagu Marwas Beduk Kemplingan Cordofons Idiofons Tangkongan Sape Veena Rebab Tambura Ruan Sarod Sitar Awar Manjira Ghatam Palas Dabo Tetawak Cerek Luo

Information Source http://www.musicmall-asia.com/malaysia/instruments/index.html http://www.zanesville.ohiou.edu/malaysia/aerofons.htm http://www.google.com.sg/