Done By: Jasmine Chua 2g

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.
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.
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.
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.
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."

The geduk is covered by a
skin or head on both ends of
the hollow wooden cylinder.  under one arm.  Is played
It is played by striking it with
mallets.  The geduk is played
in pairs with a larger ibu and
a smaller anak.
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
by slapping the head with
the hands in a style
somewhat similar to the
conga or djembe.
Bamboo flute Tetuang Batak Kercing Gendang
Nafiri Selengut Tabla Jidur Tagu
Seruling Sheng Marwas Beduk Kemplingan

Tangkongan Sape Awar Manjira

Veena Rebab Ghatam Palas
Tambura Ruan Dabo Tetawak
Sarod Sitar Cerek Luo
http://www.musicmall-asia.com/malaysia/instruments/index.html

http://www.zanesville.ohiou.edu/malaysia/aerofons.htm

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