Musical Set Rentals

Today, they are still becoming used in the theater, studied in music schools and are continually evolving both in the physical form and the strategies by which they are becoming played.

1.  Qin/ Guqin/ 7-string Qin

This is one of the most ancient instruments with a history of more than 3,000 years.  In the Zhou dynasty this was popularly referred to as guqin.  The earlier form of qin consisted of five strings.  Over the 2,000 years the 7-string qin was established as the common sort, hence it is also called the 7-string qin.  The qin resembles a shallow, oblong box which is created with two pieces of wood with diverse degrees of hardness—the bottom board and slightly bulged soundboard.  The qin is fretless and bridgeless even so, finger positions are marked along the soundboard by 13 studs.  The lower register of the qin sounds full, the middle register is wealthy and smooth, and the high register, bright.  In ancient times, it was the instrument to purify and educate the heart.

The qin has been traditionally the most honoured of all Chinese musical instruments.  It was not only utilized in court music, but also became an important part of people’s every day lives, and the most suitable companion for scholars and officials.  Due to the fact of its low volume and excellent variety in tactics and tone color, the qin is extremely suitable to be a solo instrument.  Sometimes it plays duet with dongxiao in modern day times.

two.  Zheng/ Guzheng

Another classic Chinese plucked instrument is the zheng.  Originally, it is created from bamboo material and utilized by ancient herdsmen.  Later it was really popular in the Qin dynasty (22`-206 B.C.).  Its strings increased from 5to 12, and wood instead of bamboo was utilized for its body.  The sizes of zheng vary from 16-string, 18-string, 21-string to 23-string, and so on.  The strings are created of silk or, far more commonly now, metal.   It has a treble pitch range, and its tone is mellow and clear.  With its expressive tone, it came to be commonly employed as a solo instrument in accompanying folksongs or in ensemble music.  These days, it is often used as a solo instrument.

3.  Pipa

The origin of pipa can be traced to Central Asia.  It arrived in China in the course of the Northern Wei dynasty (A.D.) 384-534). The instrument gained popularity in the course of the Tang dynasty (A.D. 618-907).  The earlier form of pipa had 4 strings and on the neck there were 4 frets.  Several years later, frets were added to the body.  It gradually developed into the contemporary pipa, which has 6 frets on the neck and 18 or more frets on the body.  The pipa is played by making use of fingers of one hand, with the exception of the thumb to pluck the strings and the other hand on the frets.  This instrument, with its delicate and enchanting timbre can also generate quickly repeated notes as well as chords.  Because the ancient times up to the present it is a very common instrument for solos, ensembles, and accompanying operas and songs.

4.  Liuyeqin

The Liuyeqin is about a century old treble plucked instrument.  It is a typical ensemble and solo instrument that looks comparable to pipa but smaller in size.  Originally, it was employed as an accompanying instrument to a regional opera in Anhui province.  Later, its strings were increased from two to 3 or even four.  The smaller soundbox and short strings assists it produce a sharp, clear and crisp sound making it really capable of handling rapid plucking.

5.  Ruan, Yueqin, and Qinqin

These 3 plucked instruments are closely related to each other for they were derived from the same ancestor.

During the Han dynasty, (206 B.C. – A.D. 220) a sort of lute instrument was developed with a round soundbox and a straight neck.  This 4-string instrument was named qinhan-zi or pipa, or qinhan-pipa.  A scholar named Ruan Xian was a brilliant performer of this instrument in the 3rd century.  Given that then, the instrument was called ruanxian or ruan in the Tang dynasty and the name became permanent.

In the Song dynasty (A.D. 960-1280), the yueqin, a type of instrument comparable in shape to the ruan but with a shorter neck, was developed.  It has 4 strings that run over frets to the tuning pegs.  The kind of sound it produces is strident with a vigorous timbre.  When employed as a solo instrument, it is capable of leggiero passages.  The yueqin has located an essential location as an accompanying instrument in regional operas such as the Beijing opera.

Later, an instrument derived from the ruan, called qinqin appeared in southern China.  The instrument’s wooden soundbox is normally circular shaped.  Its name was possibly derived from qinhan-zi.

6.  Sanxian

The sanxian was recognized as an innovation by the Yuan dynasty (A.D.1280-1368) musicians and soon gained popularity.  It has a fretless lengthy-neck and a wooden soundbox which is covered by snake skin. Because of its fretless neck, the player’s hand

The bamboo is one of the most useful plants on earth. Blessed with a year-round abundant supply of this hardy plant, the Filipinos have found a wide range of functions. One of its interesting uses is as a musical instrument. The most famous and the grandest bamboo instrument known worldwide is the Bamboo Organ which can be found in Las Piñas city. It is a pipe organ made from bamboo and it is the only one of its kind in the world.

In the various regions of the Philippines are found a variety of bamboo instruments. These produce different sounds depending on the manner the instrument is played, that is, whether, blown, struck, or plucked.

Bamboos That are Blown – aerophones

These instruments are flutes or pipes made from pieces of young bamboo called buho. The instruments may look slightly different from each other but they are all blown.

The ulimong, palendang, and lantoy produce sound when air is blown into the instrument with the mouth. Among some people like the Ilonggot and the Mangyan, the lantoy produces sound when air is blown into the instrument with the nose through a small hole at the closed end. The tungali is a nose flute, too. Igorot swains use the tungali for courting their loved one. Maguindanaon lads play love tunes on their palendang. The Manobo use the lantoy to accompany their songs. Each pipe produces different pitches by means of opening or closing small holes along the tube using the fingers. The number of holes differs for each instrument. Delicate and elaborate melodies can come from these pipes. Another instrument, the sageypo, is also made of buho. It has no five finger holes and produces only one pitch. The Kalinga of the Mountain Province enjoy playing the sageypo. Ensemble music can be played by a group of five, six, or more players, each one holding a sageypo. The pipes are closed at one end and are of different lengths.

Bamboos That Are Struck – idiophones

Other bamboo instruments are played by striking. Many bamboo instruments are played this way.

The bungkaka is played by striking the instrument’s forked end against the palm of one hand. The tongue-shaped end of the tagiitag is beaten against a piece of bamboo held in the other hand. The patteteg is placed on the lap and struck with a long stick. The closed end of the tongatong is beaten on a solid surface.

The bunkaka, tongatong, and taggitag each has a small hole at one end of the instrument. This hole is closed and opened in a particular pattern to produce different tone colors.

These instruments come from the mountains of the North. They are called by other names among different Igorot tribes. Making music on these instruments provides long hours of enjoyment. The Igorots place much importance on their instruments, especially since these are used during rites and celebrations. The bunkaka and the taggitag are played to drive evil spirits away while traveling along mountain trails.

Bamboos That Are Plucked – chordophones

Other bamboo instruments are plucked like string instruments. Among these are the pas-ing of the Apayao and the tabungbung of the Negritos. Other groups from many parts of the Philippines have a similar instrument. These two instruments have an interesting feature: the strings which are made of thin strips of bamboo still attached to the main body raised by small wooden bridges for ease in plucking them. The main body is a piece of bamboo cut with both ends closed by the node. These bamboo instruments produce short, detached sounds that are distinctly different from the twangy sounds of the guitar.

The Moodswinger

The moodswinger is a guitar-like instrument which was produced by Yuri Landman. In actuality, it is not a guitar per se, but more like a zither, since it has no frets. This 3rd bridge guitar has 12 strings and is electrically powered. The moodswinger was originally created by Yuri Landman for drummer Aaron Hemphill. Quite an unusual guitar, is not it?

The Great Stalacpipe Organ

The Wonderful Stalacpipe organ was considered by many as one of the largest crafted musical instruments in the planet. It is situated inside the Lurray Caverns, in the Shanandoah Valley. Leland Sprinkle, the inventor of this exclusive instrument, discovered that stalactites inside the Lurray caverns produce melodic sounds. He then constructed a keyboard console and wired a mallet to each stalactite within a three.five acre cavern space! The sounds gathered from the stalactites are then regulated by this stalacpipe organ and can be played making use of standard organ/piano keys. This became regarded as as the oldest natural litophone in the world.

The Zadar Sea Organ

The Sea Organ is a splendid example of impeccable architecture and sound engineering. Located on the shores of Zadar, Croatia, this is the first musical instrument naturally played by the waves of the sea. This special instrument, created by architect Nikola Basic in 2005, looks like regular but elegant steps along the seashore. Underneath it, nonetheless, are 35 musically tuned tubes. Depending on the size, strength, and velocity of the waves that toss on the seashore, musical chords are played and the sound comes out from whistle openings on the sidewalk. Call it a main instrument in nature’s orchestra.

The Aeolian Wind Harp

The Aeolian harp is a musical instrument played by the wind. It originated in Ancient Greece, but was popularly used as residence decorations throughout the Renaissance and Romantic Era. It is created to play music without having human hands. The wind causes the Aeolian harp to vibrate and create random harmonic sounds and notes (sometimes chords). This is another instrument in nature’s orchestra!

The Atlantic City Convention Hall Organ

The Guiness Book of World Records consider the Atlantic City Organ as the loudest musical instrument ever designed. It is also the world’s largest pipe organ. This instrument has 7 manuals (controls identified in most traditional organs), 1,255 speaking stops, 455 ranks and 33,112 pipes! 1 of the natural speakers built inside this instrument can be six times louder than the world’s loudest train whistle! The Atlantic City Convention Hall Organ weighs approximately 150 tons (which explains why it’s stuck in that location possibly forever).

Aquaggaswack

Besides being tough to spell, this instrument was also uniquely built. It falls under the category of gong and cymbal instruments. Mallets, sticks and brushes form the Aquaggaswack. It is created of pot lids stuck together by galvanized plumbing pipe. It was created by Curtis Settino in 1996 as an experimental musical instrument.

Sandata Ng Lolo Ni Tatay

If we translate this from the Filipino language, this means “Weapon Of My Father’s Grandfather”. This instrument originated from the Philippines and was designed by Lirio Salvador. It looks like a cello and can be played specifically like one, except that the sound is various. The sound is amplified by a magnetic pickup coming from mixing bowls. The ‘Sandata ng Lolo Ni Tatay” is a very interesting instrument to watch being played. The name is funny too.