Philippine Ethnic Musical

Instruments
(
 Aerophone
is any musical instrument which produces sound
primarily by
causing a body of air to vibrate
without the use of strings or membranes
and without the vibration of the instrument itself adding
considerably to the sound.
 B a n si
q
ic g r o u p : H anunoo
Ethn
o ca t io n : M indoro
L
n:
Classifcatio
Aerophone,
ip-o n-l e dg e fute:
ch
Description o tube,
c u rv e d b a m b o
Slightly n ode and
o n e si d e b y a
closed on
u nd e r a n a n g le . On the
cut off piece of
u rf a c e a n e x tr a
cut off s
banboo is tied.
si on s : le n g th : 3 1,5 cm.,
Dimen
.
diameter: 1,5 cm
 Kalleleng

Nose flutes Description

Long bamboo tu
bes,
closed at one en
d by the
node in which th
e
blowing hole is
burnt.
The flute has thre
e finger
holes. The blow
ing hole
is placed under a
n angle
against the nose
and the
player gently blo
ws into
the tube.
Dimensions (fro
m top to
bottom):
The end of the tubes with the blowing hole burnt - flute 1: length: 71 cm.,
in the node. diameter: 2 cm.
On the right: theTongalifrom the Kalingga - flute 2: length:
Ethnic group: Bontoc 51,5 cm.,
diameter: 2 cm.
Location: North Luzon (Cordillera)
Classifcation: Aerophone,vertical fute, nose
fute
The kalleleng is held
against the nostril;
the other nostril is
plugged
Lantuy

Ethnic group: Hanunoo

Location: Mindoro
Classifcation
Aerophone,horizontal fute

Description
Bamboo tube, closed at
one end by a node (on
the right on the picture).
Dimensions; length:
31,5 cm., diameter: 1,5
cm.
Palandag
Ethnic group: Bagobo
Location: SE Mindanao
Classifcation
cription
Aerophone,lip valley fute (notch Des o fi n g e rh o le s. Protruding
fute) Two by tw . T h e in s tr ument is
a h ole
mouthpiece with s b la c k ened by
c a rv in g
decorated with c h n iq u e : see Pulalu
y in g te
burning. For pla 8 ,6 c m , d ia meter 1,2
gth : 1
Dimensions: len
cm.
 u te Local name : unknown
g f Group: Bontoc
rtin
Cou
Location: North Luzon (Cordillera)
Classifcation: Aerophone, vertical
fute
Description
Short bamboo tube, cut off on the node and closed
with a piece of wood, lower part of the hole half
covered, with a burnt in hole.
Dimensions: length: 14,7 cm., dimater: 1,6 cm.
Paldong
Ethnic group: Kalingga Front view
Location: North Luzon
(Cordillera)
Classifcation
Aerophone,lip valley fute
(notch fute)

Description
Open bamboo pipe, top end cu
t at
an angle (see pictures). Three
by
one fingerholes. For playing
technique: see Pulalu
Dimensions: length: 69,2 cm
,
diameter 1,6 cm.

The mouthpiece, the one on

the left is thePaldong
Pulalu
Ethnic group: Mansaka
Location: SE Mindanao
Classifcation
Lip valley fute (notch
fute),aerophone

Description
Open bamboo pipe,
top end cut at an
angle (see pictures).
Two by two
fingerholes.

Dimensions: length:
48,7 cm, diameter
1,4 cm

The mouthpiece, the one on the right

is thePulalu
 Tongali
Ethnic group: Kalingga
Location: North Luzon (Cordillera)
Classifcation
Aerophone, vertital fute. nose fute

Description
Long bamboo tubes,
closed at one end by The end of the tubes with the blowing hole
the
node in which the burnt in the node. In the middle and on the left
blowing hole is burn areKallelengfrom the Bontoc.
t.
The flute has three
finger holes. The
blowing hole is place
d
under an angle again
st
the nose and the play
er
gently blows into th
e
tube.
Dimensions: length:
57,5 cm., diameter 2
cm.

It is held against the nostril;

the other nostril is plugged
Sahunay
Ethnic group: Taosug
Location: Sulu
archipelago (muslim south)
Classifcation
Pipe withreed (clarinet):
aerophone

Description
s;
Tube with six fingerhole
with
mouth piece of bamboo
ld
cut out reed; mouth shie
bell
made of coconut shell;
made of leaf (probably
c
bamboo) and blue plasti
ribbon.
Dimensions:
am.
Total length: 28,4 cm. di
65
tube with fingerholes: 0,
7 cm
cm. widest diam bell: 3,
 y
Sahuna
The piece of bamboo with
the cut out reed was lost
during storage

in the depots of the

museum. The reed's
blade is on the lower side.
 Chordophone
A chordophone is any musical instrument
which makes sound by way of a vibrating string
or strings stretched between two points
 Kudlung
Ethnic group: Bagobo
Location: SE Mindanao
Classifcation
Chordophone, two
stringed boat lute
Description
Two stringed lute
made of wood,
one string for the
melody, one
for the drone. Eig
ht frets are
glued on the neck
of the lute.
The body of the in
strument is
carved with geom
etric patterns.
The neck and the
head are
adorned with hors
e hair; the tail
has two (originall
y three) pieces
of carabao skin; th
e strap is
adorned with bea
d work.
Dimensions: leng
th: 98 cm.,
width: 8,5 cm., h
eight: 5,5 cm. The head, adorned with horse hair
 Kudlung
Ethnic group: Bagobo
Location: SE Mindanao
Classifcation
Chordophone, two
stringed boat lute
Description
Two stringed lute
made of wood, The body, carved with geometric
one string for the
melody, one patterns, the glued on frets and the
for the drone. Eig
ht frets are strap
glued on the neck
of the lute.
The body of the in
strument is
carved with geom
etric patterns.
The neck and the
head are
adorned with hors
e hair; the tail
has two (originall
y three) pieces
of carabao skin; th
e strap is
adorned with bea
d work.
Dimensions: leng
th: 98 cm.,
width: 8,5 cm., h The tail with the two (originally three)
eight: 5,5 cm.
piece sof carabao skin
 side view

Kudlun
g
'laan
Ethnic group: B
d an ao
Location: SE Min
h ri stia n / a nimis t part)
(c
Classifcation
o
Chordophone, tw
stringed boat lute

Kudlung, top view

Kudlung, the head with the handle for

fine tuning
Kudlung

Description
e of
Two stringed lute mad
the
wood, one string for
rone.
melody, one for the d
held in The tail
Eight frets originally
eck of
place placed on the n
bbery
the lute by a sticky ru
co.The
substance, called sico
for fine
lute has a mechanism
a
tuning consisting of
ainst
wooden comb tied ag
te's
the outer part of the lu
string.
neck and the melody
118 cm.,
Dimensions: length:
: 10,5
width: 20 cm., height
cm.
The lower part of the body, with the
plectre (akbit) stuck into a hole
 Kudyapi

Sideview

The head,
decorated with
floral motives,
'okiran'

The tail, decorated

with the 'crocodile'
motive
Ethnic group: Marano u dya pi
Location: West Central Mindanao
K
(muslim south)
Classifcation
Chordophone, two stringed boat lute

Description
Two stringed lute mad
e of wood, one
string for the melody, on
e for the drone.
Eight frets originally he
ld in place
placed on the neck of th
e lute by a sticky
rubbery substance.The
lute is decorated
with floral motives; the
tail is carved to
represent a stylised croc
odile head.
Dimensions: length: 15
2 cm., width:
11,5 cm.

The bridge, made of wood

and carabao horn
Serongagandi
ranaw
Ethnic group: Ma
l-west
Location:Centra
m
Mindanao (musli Top view
south)
Classifcation
one
Cither: chordoph

Back view
Description
oo tube,
Decorated bamb
e at both
closed by a nod
s cut free
ends. Two string
n d li ft e d b y b a mboo sticks
a
c o n n e c te d b y a wooden
and
orm'). The
bridge (or 'platf
d g e is s it ua te d over a hole
bri
e tube a
which makes th
resonator.
The bridge is placed over a hole n g th : 4 1 c m . d iameter: 9
Le
cm.
Ethnic group: T'boli Sludoy
Location: South east
Mindanao
Classifcation
Bamboo cither:
chordophone,
idiochord
Description
Tube cither made of ba
mboo;
five strings cut from th
e tube;
the tube is cut open w
ith one
full length crack and he
ld
together by bamboo st
rips at
both ends. In this way
the
tube forms the resonat
ing
body of the instrumen
t.
Usually a piece of drie
d leaf
is placed in the top en
d of the
tube of which the fucn
tion is
not clear.
Dimensions: length: 80 Thesludoy, turned 90 degrees for each picture
cm.,
diameter 11,5 cm.
A T'boli woman plays thesludoy, the
woman in the background plays
ahegelung.
 Description
Kolitong Ethnic group: Kalingga Bamboo tube, closed at both end
Location: North Luzon, by a node. In both nodes a star
Cordillera shaped opening is cut. Five strings
Classifcation are cut loose from the skin, and
Chordophone,idiochord tube lifted and tuned with small pieces
zither of wood. The tube is cracked and
slightly opened to improve
resonance.
Dimensions: length: 80 cm.
The strings are cut diameter: 11,5 cm.
loose from the skin
and lifted by
wooden bridges

The star shaped

opening in the
node
 Idiophone
An idiophone is any musical instrument
which creates sound primarily
by way of the instrument's vibrating,
without the use of strings or membranes
Most percussion instruments which are not drums
are idiophones.
 Afw Group: Bontoc Ethnic group:
Description Classification Bontoc
Made of brass; the in Idiophone, jaw harp Location: North
strument
is held horizontally Luzon (Cordillera)
with the
metal tongue in fron
t of the
opened mouth. The
left end is
either hit by the thu
mb of the
right hand or plucke
d (see
photograph below).
This
makes the metal ton
gue
vibrate which causes
a sound.
The mouth serves as
a
resonator and by ch
anging the
shape and size of th
e mouth
opening, the overto
nes can be
changed, thus creatin
ga
melody. By strongly
breathing
in or out the volume
can be
changed as well.
The string is made o
f wool.
Dimensions: length
: 11,5 cm.,
width: 1,3 cm. The Afiw is held before the opened mouth
Kinaban
Ethnic group: Hanunoo
Location: Mindoro
Classifcation: Idiophone, jaw harp

Description
Made of bamboo; the instrument is held horizontally with the bamboo
tongue in front of the opened mouth. The left end is hit by the thumb
of the right hand. This makes the bamboo tongue vibrate which causes
a sound. The mouth serves as a resonator and by changing the shape
and size of the mouth opening, the overtones can be changed, thus
creating a melody. By strongly breathing in or out the volume can be
changed as well. For a picture of the instrument in use: see the Kubing
from the Atta.
Dimensions: length: 14,9 cm., width: 0,8 cm.
Kubing
Ethnic group: Atta
Location: SE Mindanao
Classifcation: Idiophone, jaw harp

Description
Made of bamboo; Made of bamboo;
the instrument is held horizontally
with the bamboo tongue in front of
the opened mouth. The left end is hit
by the thumb of the right hand. This
makes the bamboo tongue vibrate
which causes a sound. The mouth
serves as a resonator and by
changing the shape and size of the
mouth opening, the overtones can be
changed, thus creating a melody. By
strongly breathing in or out the
volume can be changed as well. Quintik Ofong plays the kubing (T'boli)
Dimensions: length: 20,8 cm.,
width: 1 cm.
 Kubing
Ethnic group:
Maranao
Location: West
Description Central Mindanao
Made of bamboo; Made of bamboo; the instrument is held (muslim south)
horizontally with the bamboo tongue in front of the Classifcation
opened mouth. The left end is hit by the thumb of the Idiophone, jaw harp;
right hand. This makes the bamboo tongue vibrate which
causes a sound. The mouth serves as a resonator and by
changing the shape and size of the mouth opening, the
overtones can be changed, thus creating a melody. By
strongly breathing in or out the volume can be changed as
well. For a picture of the instrument in use: see the
Kubingfrom the Atta.
A thin piece of bamboo of appr. 2 cm. length on the left
side, for hitting and causing the tongue to vibrate, is
broken off.
Dimensions: length: 23,6 cm. (or. appr. 26 cm.). , width
(widest): 2,4 cm,
(smallest) 1,2 cm.
Kumbing

Ethnic group: Manobo

Location: Central Mindanao
Classifcation: Idiophone, jaw harp

Description is he ld be fore the opened

e in st ru m en t
Made of bamboo; th fr on t of th e mouth opening.
to ng ue in
mouth with the cut out nd . T his makes the metal
t by th e ri gh t ha
The left end is hi un d. The mouth serves as a
ca us es a so
tongue vibrate which ap e an d si ze of the mouth
ng the sh
resonator and by changi an ge d, th us cr ea tin g a melody.
can be ch
opening, the overtones e vo lu m e ca n be changed as
in or ou t th
By strongly breathing
well. idth: 0,9 cm.
s: le ng th: 14 ,9 cm ., w
Dimension
 Balingbing
Group: Kalingga
Location: North Luzon
(Cordillera)
Classifcation
Idiophone, bamboo buzzer
Description
Bamboo tube, on
e side closed. Tw
crack up to the n o tongues and a
ode; hole. The in
by beating one o strument is playe
f the tongues aga d
wrist; sound can inst the arm or
be changed by c
the hole. Usually losing and openin
played by at leas g
individuals, each t seven
with one buzzer.
own rythmic patt Player play their
ern, all patterns
('interlocking'). P fit together
layers can form
dancing in an op long rows while
en space (such a
meadow). s a central
Dimensions: vary
from 30 to 50 cm
desired tonal heig . depending on
ht.
Palipal
Ethnic group:
Ifugao Side view
Location: North
Luzon (Cordillera)
Classifcation
Idiophone, bamboo
clapper

Top view

Description
Bamboo tube, one end open; cut open in the middle; upper part cut into two halves. The
instrument is played by shaking: one half swings up and down and in the down swing hits
the lower half. For playing technique: seeBalingbing
Tagutok
Ethnic group: Maranaw
Location:Central-west
Mindanao (muslim
south)

Classifcation
Idiophone

Description
Decorated bamboo
scraper, length: 46
cm., diameter: 9 cm.
Bangibang
Group: Ifugao
Location: North Luzon (Cordillera)
Classifcation
Idiophone, percussion bar

Description
Set of at least seven wooden bars made of hard wood. Each bar has its own pitch
and is hit by the player with a short stick of hard wood. Players have one stick
each and play their own rythmic pattern, which fall together ('interlocking').
See also: Balingbing.
Dimensions: length: 47,5 cm., height: 5 cm., diameter: 2,6 cm.
 Gabbang
Ethnic group: Taosug
Location: Jolo (muslim
south)
Classifcation
Front view Idiophone, xylophone
Description
Xylophone with 17 keys made of
Top view bamboo, separated by metal
nails. The resonating case is
dcorated with floral motives. At
the sides are two mirrors.
The beaters are made of wood
with a piece of tube rubber
Dimensions: length: 102 cm.,
width: 51 cm. height: 37 cm.

The two beaters

 The Gabbang can be played as a solo
instrument. Sometimes a duo is formed
with a 'biula', a local violin.

The resonating case, decorated with floral

A Taosug woman plays thegabbang. motives
 Kulintang (small)

Ethnic group: Maranao

Front view Location:Central-west
Mindanao (muslim
south)
Classifcation
Idiophone,metal
xylophone
Top view Description
se t o f e ig h t iro n plates
A
ooden
with boss on a w
are tuned
frame. The plates
p la y e d a s a k u li ntang.
and
ered to be
The set is consid
p rac ti c e se t fo r children,
a
lso play
although adults a
the instrument.
th: 95
Dimensions: leng
. height:
cm., width: 14 cm
The left side of 9 cm.
the instrument
with the largest
iron plate
Kulintang ensemble
Ethnic group:
Maranao
Location: Central-
west Mindanao
(muslim south)

Classifcation
Idiophones: gong
chime and large
gong
Membranophones:
conical drum and
cylindrical drum

Local names
Set of eight
gongs:Kulintang
Large gong:Agung
Cylindrical drum: The complete ensemble
Gandang
Conical drum:
Description Kulintang ensemble
Set of eight gongs made of bronze, on a wooden
stand in the shape of a Sarimanok(mythical bird,
divine messenger). Accompanied by one larger
gong (here made of iron, but usually also made
of bronze) and two drums. The eight small gongs
differ in pitch but the height of the tone is not
fixed and can differ per set. The number of large
gongs can vary from one to several gongs of
different pitch and size. The small gongs are
struck with two sticks of appr. 30 cm. length and
made of a soft kind of wood, probably of the
papaya tree. The large gong is struck with a
special beater. The conical drum is struck with a
thin piece of bamboo of appr. 40 c.m. length. The
cylindrical drum is struck with either the hands
or two short wooden sticks. The head representing
To indicate the dimensions of the whole set, the the
length of the Sarimanok-shaped stand is 2,60 mythical bird
mtr, from head to tail. For other dimensions, see Sarimanok
the pages of the other instruments of the
ensemble (see above).
 Two gongs on the stand
Remarks
The drums, the stand and the
frame are all quite roughly
made but elaborately decorated
with colourfully painted wood
carvings, called 'okiran'.
is
The stand for the large gong
a copy based on photographs
of a stand used by a Maranaw
cultural group. The stand was
made for the exhibiton
'Ugnayan, music in the
e
Philippines', in 1977 in the Th
d
Hague Municipal Museum an
in 1978 in the Rotterdam
Ethnographic Museum.
Kulintang ensemble
 Group: Maranao Description
Classification Gong with boss, made of iron. The gong is
Agung Idiophone, bossed gong
Location: West Central
part of the Kulintangensemble
Dimensions: diameter: 45 cm. depth: 21 cm.
Mindanao (muslim south)

Front view Side view

Tanggunggu
Ethnic groups:
Kalagan, B'laan,
Manuvu, Bagobo,
a.o.
Location: South east
Mindanao
Classifcation
Gong
Local chime:
names
idiophones
Set of eight
gongs: Tanggunggu
Largest
gong: Unsaranan (lit.
mother)
The other gongs (rising
in pitch): Bandilanan,
Tubaganan,Litokanan
The highest gong: Tulus
The
ostinato:Patawaganan
Beater: Tinkulai
 Tanggunggu

Description
small
Set of eight
of iron,
gongs made
u a ll y ha n g ing on a
us
. The
rest of rope
gong is
lower right
a y e d a s a n ostinato
pl
elody is
while the m
l a y e d o n t he other
p
nd the
gongs, arou
ostinato.
The large Tanggunggu, (Kaloagan,
Mount Tandawanan, SE Mindanao)
Tongkaling
Ethnic group: B'laan
Location: SE Mindanao
Classifcation
Idiophones, pellet bells or
crotal bells

Local names
Tongkaling: larger brass pellet bellsTongkaling, bronze bells, on a dance girdle
Gurung-gurung: smaller brass pellet
bells
A Tongkaling with a particular design
Description
Brass bells, used as an amulet or as a musical
instrument. In the picture fourteen brass bells is
fixed to a metal girdle. Nine of these bells have a
particular design (a tiger's face). The girdle is used
during a particular dance. For an extensive
explanation of this particular type of bells and its
use, see the pages on tiger bells.
 Membranophone
A membranophone is any musical instrument
which produces sound primarily
by way of a vibrating stretched membrane.
Most membranophones are drums
Dadabuan

Ethnic group: Maranao

Location: West central Mindanao
(muslim south)

Classifcation
Membranophone, hour glass shaped
drum
Description
Hour glass shaped drum made
of wood; the membrane is
made of carabao skin.
Decorated with carvings and
painted. The drum is part of
the Kulintangensemble.
Dimensions: height: 59 cm.
diameter (membrane): 19 cm.
 Ethnic group:
Gandang Maranao
Location: West
central Mindab
ao
(muslim south
)
Classifcation
Membranopho
ne,
double headed
cylindrical dru
m
Description
Cylindrical drum, mad
e
of wood with a
membrane made of
carabo skin on each
side. Decorated with
'okiran' motives and
painted. The drum is
part of the Kulintang
ensemble.
Dimensions: height: 34
cm., diameter: 17 cm.