Angklung

The Angklung is a musical instrument of Javanese origin, made of bamboo.

Description
It is made up of a pair of mounted bamboo tubes which give an octave sound when shaken. The tubes are supported in a square frame, also made of bamboo. Each tube is split open about two-thirds of its length. The bottom of the tube is closed by a node , with two tongues below it, so shaped when the bottom is cut. The tongues sit in a small trough in the base of the frame and move back and forth freely when the instrument is shaken sideways, the sound being created by concussion. A tube is one half the length of the other and the tubes are tuned an octave apart. An angklung player holds the instrument in one hand and shakes it with the other. A melody is performed by providing as many angklungs and players as required by the different pitches of the tube.

History
The angklung in its "crude" form dates back to ancient times, long before the acceptance of the gamelan orchestra, which was introduced into Indonesia with the arrival of Hindu culture. When attractive and more functional Western instruments began pouring in from Europe, interest in the native bamboo instrument waned. Formally introduced into Malaysia sometime after the end of confrontation, it found immediate popularity



Author
Lay Tin Koh



References 
(1972, December 3). The Sunday Mail, p. 9.


Further Readings
Winitasasmita, Moh. Hidayat. (1977). Angklung: Kumpulan lagu-lagu. Bandung: Pelita Masa.
(Call no.: RSEA 786.62598 WIN)

Angklung [Sound recording]. [197-?]. [Djakarta?]: Media Records.
(Call no.: RSEA 789.609598 ANG)



The information in this article is valid as at 1998 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Arts>>Performing Arts>>Music
Angklung
Musical instruments--Indonesia
Arts>>Music>>Musical instruments and ensembles



All Rights Reserved. National Library Board Singapore 2004.