8

Music
Quarter 1 – Module 2
Southeast Asian Musical Instruments

CO_Q1_Music8_Module2
 What I Need to Know

This module is designed to help you understand the traditional musical

instruments of Southeast Asia. The content is systematically arranged for you to have a
better understanding on the different concepts of this module. There are many
activities prepared for you to make your studies more meaningful. It is important that
you answer all of them. When you do so, please use separate sheet of paper.
Specifically, this module focuses on musical instruments of Southeast Asia.

After going through this, you are expected to:

1. Explore ways of producing sounds on a variety of sources that would

simulate instrument being studied; (MU8SE-lc-h-5)
2. Improvise simple accompaniment to the selected Southeast Asian music;
(MU8SE-lc-h-6)

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 Lesson
Southeast Asian Musical
1 Instruments

What’s In

In Grade 7, you have learned that Philippines are rich in musical

instruments. Its variety ranges from string, wind, and percussion. In this activity,
we will recall musical instruments that are used in rondalla ensembles.

Directions: Match the name and pictures of the instruments in column A & B with
the characteristics of instruments in column C. Write the letter of the correct
answer on a separate sheet of paper.

Column A Column B Column C

1. It is used mostly as
1. Banduria the lead instrument in
rondalla ensemble.

2. It is a fretted six
2. Octavina
strings instrument.

3. The largest instrument

3. Laud
in rondalla.

4. Plays the alto part

4. Guitar in rondalla with two
f sound holes.

5. Same as the laud,

5. Bajo de Arco but with a round
sound hole.

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 What’s New

Direction: Put a check mark (/) on a column that corresponds to the classification
of the instrument.

Instruments Aerophone Chordophone Idiophone Membranophone

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

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 What is It

In this portion, we will study the musical instruments of Southeast Asia

which is composed of Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos,
Vietnam, and Singapore.

There are four classifications of musical instruments depending on the manner

in which the instrument creates the sound and the way it is played, namely:

• Chordophones (Stringed Instruments) – are musical instruments that will

sound using the vibration of strings. Examples of this kind are guitars,
bows, harps, lutes, and zithers.

• Aerophones (Wind Instruments or brass instruments) – are musical

instruments that will sound through air vibration like flutes, saxophones,
trumpets, and tubas.

• Membranophones (Percussion Instruments) – are musical instruments that

will sound through the vibration of a stretched membrane. Example of this
category are drums.

• Idiophones – are musical instruments that vibrate itself when struck,

shaken or scraped to produce a sound. It is made out of glass, metal,
ceramics, and wood such as bamboo tubes, cymbals, gongs, rattles, wood
blocks, and xylophones.

Now, let us familiarize the musical instruments of the different countries in

Southeast Asia.

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Cambodia

The Pinpeat ensemble is an

orchestra that accompanies the different
royal activities in Cambodia like religious
ceremonies, court dances, and masked and
shadow plays. Below is the detailed
description of the instruments used by its
members:

Source: www.astampaday.wordpress.com

Instrument Illustration Classification Description

Chhing Idiophone Finger cymbals that are
made of thick and heavy
bronze. The player strikes
them together, one in each
hand to produce a sound.

Kongvong Idiophone It is composed of gongs

arranged in a circular
frame made of hardwood
or ivory. The player strikes
them using the mallet to
produce a sound.
Oneat Idiophone It has twenty-one thick
bars that are suspended
from strings attached to
the two walls. It is built in
the shape of a curved,
rectangular shaped boat.
Samphor Membranophone It is a small two-headed
barrel drum. One drum
head is larger than the
other. It is played with
both hands.

Skorthom Membranophone Two headed barrel drums

played with a pair of
wooden drumsticks. The
skin heads are made from
oxen, cows or buffalos.
The drums are tuned in
such a way that one will
give a tight sound while
the other a loose tone.

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Indonesia

The Gamelan is the most popular

form of music in Indonesia. The ensemble is
conducted by a drummer and often includes
drums, bamboo flute, xylophone, and
stringed instruments as illustrated and
described below:

Source: www.youtube.com

Instrument Illustration Classification Description

Kendang Membranophone Double-headed barrel drum
placed inside a frame. It is
played by hitting the skin
head using a beater.

Angklung Idiophone A bamboo musical

instrument with varying
number of bamboo tubes
attached to a bamboo frame.
It is played by both hands.
One will hold the frame
while the other shakes the
instrument which causes a
repeating note to sound.
Bedug Membranophone It is a large double-barrel
drum made of buffalo
leather. Both heads are
equal in size which produces
a strong sound.

Tabla and Membranophone It is a pair of small different-

Bhaya sized tuned hand drums.
The sound produced varies
depending on finger and
hand strokes of the player.

Rebab Chordophone A bowed string instrument

which has one to three
strings. It is shaped like a
small lute.

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Myanmar

Hsang Waing is a traditional folk

musical ensemble of Myanmar that
accompanies numerous forms of rituals,
performances, and ceremonies. It is made
up of various musical instruments as
enumerated below:

Source: www.asiasociety.org

Instrument Illustration Classification Description

Pat waing Idiophone It is composed of 21
drums in circle. The
player sits in the middle of
a horseshoe shaped shell
and uses his bare hands
to play the instrument.

Pattala Idiophone It consists of 24 bamboo

plate placed above a
resonating box starting
with the lowest pitch on
the player’s left side and
the highest pitch on the
player’s right side.

Mi gyaung Chordophone Three-stringed zither

which looks like a
crocodile. The strings are
played with a plectrum.

Saung gauk Chordophone It is an angular harp

which has 13 strings. It is
regarded as the national
instrument of Myanmar.

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 Dobat Membranophone A double headed drum
played to bring in the
harvest or to call for rain
when the monsoon is late.

Sidaw Membranophone A drum played during

royal occasions and
auspicious gatherings.
Historically, it is played
during the entrance and
exit of the king and queen.

Palwei Aerophone It is a wind instrument

which consist of a hallow
tube played by blowing
through a whole at one
end.

Malaysia

Kuda Kepang Gendang Keling

Source: www.youtube.com Source: www.youtube.com

Musical instruments of Malaysia are greatly associated with their culture. Its
traditional music is associated with theatre forms such as, 'kuda kepang' (horse
trance dance) and 'gendang keling' (instrumental ensemble).

10 CO_Q1_Music8_Module2
The following are the traditional instruments of Malaysia:

Instrument Illustration Classification Description

Kompang Membranophone It is a single-sided hand-
held frame drum. Its size
ranges from about 20-40
cm in diameter. The frame
is made of hardwood and
its head is made from goat
skin hide.

Gendang Membranophone It is a double -headed

drum of varying sizes
made of cowhides. It is
one of the primary
instruments used in
gamelan ensemble.

Serunai Aerophone A reed wind instrument,

played using a technique
known as “circle
breathing”.

Gedombak Chordophone It is a single-headed

drum which is covered by
a skin on one end and it
is open on the other end.
It is played by slapping
the head of the
instrument with hands.

Kesi Idiophone It is played by striking

the fixed discs which the
performer holds with his
hands.

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Thailand

Music of Thailand flourished in

spite of occasional oppression from
monarchs. Piphat is a popular
ensemble which features string, wind,
and percussion instruments as
enumerated below:

Source: www.quizlet.com

Instrument Illustration Classification Description

Pi so Aerophone A single free reed pipe
which will sound by
blowing the top end of
the instrument at an
oblique angle to cover
the reed.
Krachappi Chordophone A long-necked plucked
lute which has four
strings.

Jhakae Chordophone A string instrument

which is approximately
20 cm high and 140
cm long. It has two
strings made of silk
and another two
strings made of brass.
Calung Idiophone It consists of multiple
bamboo tubes which
are struck at the base
to produce a woody
sound.
Thon and Membranophone They are hand drums
rammana played as a pair. It
consists of two drums:
thon goblet drum with
ceramic or wooden
body and ramana, a
small rebana-typed
frame drum.

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Laos

Ensembles of Laos typically include two

singers composed of a male and a female. It
also involves a khene player and other musical
instruments enumerated as follows:

Source: www.centerforworldmusic.org

Instrument Illustration Classification Description

Khene Aerophone A large mouth bamboo
organ with pipes that are
usually made of bamboo.
The pipes are connected
with a small, hollowed-out
hardwood reservoir into
which air is blown.

Kong Membranophone It is a drum made from

hardwood and animal’s
skin. It has a frog shape on
the drum head which
people believe that when it
is played it can bring out
rain.
Phin Chordophone It is one of the types of lute
with a pear-shaped body. It
has two or three metal
strings that are plucked by
a pick held in the right
hand while playing.
Ranat Chordophone A boat-shaped instrument
which consists of 21
wooden bars. It is played by
striking the instrument
using the two mallets.

Khim Chordophone It is a hammered dulcimer

or zither. It has bass strings
which will sound by striking
the strings with bamboo
hammers.

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Vietnam

The popular music of Vietnam is

categorized into three namely, imperial court
music, folk music and religious music. Its
traditional musical instruments are
enumerated as follows:

Source: www.vietvisiontravel.com

Instrument Illustration Classification Description

Dan Tranh Chordophone A sixteen-string zither that
looks like a bamboo tube. It is
played by plucking the strings.

Dan bau Chordophone A one string zither stringed

instrument. It produces an
extremely rustic sound.

Dan Sen Chordophone One of the Vietnamese lutes. It

has two strings, attached to a
slender neck and frets.

Dan Nhi Chordophone A bowed string instrument

which has two strings.

Sao Truc Aerophone It is made of bamboo which

has an airflow that can be
adjusted by pouring the steam
slowly and strongly produce
different tones.

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Singapore

There are two popular

orchestra in Singapore namely,
Singapore Chinese Orchestra and
Singapore Symphony Orchestra. The
latter plays ethnic music while the
former presents western influenced
performances.

Source: www.sco.com.sg

The following are the traditional Instruments of Singapore:

Instrument Illustration Classification Description

Kulintang Idiophone A row of small and
horizontally laid gongs
that plays the melody
section of a musical piece.
Kompang Membranophone A percussion instrument
commonly played at
weddings. It has
approximately 40 cm in
diameter with a narrow
circular frame.
Rebana Membranophone It is a drum which will
sound to notify people for
worship time.

Taphon Membranophone Barrel-shaped with two

heads and it is played by
both hands.

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Brunei

Traditional music of Brunei has

existed for centuries. It also shares some
cultural perspectives and links with the
countries like Singapore, Malaysia,
Philippines, etc. Folk music of Brunei is
played by accomplished musicians at
special ceremonies and celebrations.

Source: www.bizbrunei.com

Below are the traditional instruments of Brunei.

Instrument Illustration Classification Description

Gambus Chordophone It is a short-necked lute.
It has 12 strings which
are plucked using a
plastic plectrum to
produce a sound.
Gulintangan Idiophone It is a round-shaped
instrument that produces
a gong-like sound.

Tawak- Idiophone It is a gong made of brass.

tawak Its sound is used to call
people together.

16 CO_Q1_Music8_Module2
 What’s More

Activity: Looks Familiar!

Supply the table with correct information. Write your answer on a separate
sheet of paper.

Brief
Instrument Classification Country
Description
Example:
Double-headed
Samphor Membranophone Cambodia
drum

1. Kongvong

2. Kendang

3. Khayutin

4. Gulintangan

5. Krachappi

6. Jhakae

7. Ranat

17 CO_Q1_Music8_Module2
 8. Dan nhi

9. Kompang

10. Gambus

What I Can Do

Activity 1

Create an improvised instrument made out of recycled kitchen and

indigenous materials or any available at home. Choose only one from the suggested
materials given below.

a. Kulintang look like instrument made out of cans.

b. Make a xylophone out of bamboo
c. A pail covered with cardboard/empty used box
d. A khene made of drinking straw

Rubrics: Your output will be rated based on the rubrics below following the 3-point
scoring system with three being the highest.

Quality of Resemblance to Southeast Materials Creativity in Total

sound Asian Instruments Used the design Points
 Assessment

Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your answer on a separate sheet of
paper.

1. What is a Cambodian double-headed drum played with both hands?

A. Kongvong C. Samphor
B. Oneat D. Skorthom

2. A 13-string angular harp which is considered as the national instrument of

Myanmar.
A. Pattala C. Saung gauk
B. Pait waing D. Xylophone

3. A large bamboo mouth organ popular in Laos

A. Khene C. Sep Noi B. Mor Lam D. Sep Nyai

4. Which of the following describes dan tranh?

A. a set of 21 drums in circle
B. composed of bell and clapper
C. bronze gongs in circular frame
D. a sixteen-string zither that looks like a bamboo tube

5. Which of the following does not describe Kompang?

A. a narrow circular frame instrument
B. has approximately 20-40 cm in diameter
C. has approximately 80-100 cm in width
D. a popular Singapore musical instrument

6. An Indonesian double-headed barrel drum used in gamelan ensemble.

A. Gerong C. Kendang
B. Irama D. Pesindhen

7. Below are the instruments classified as Idiophone EXCEPT:

A. Bedug C. Kulintang
B. Kongvong D. Kyi Waing

8. Finger cymbals that are made of thick and heavy bronze.

A. Chhing C. Kesi
B. Dombat D. Oneat

9. Which bowed musical instrument of Indonesia has one to three strings?

A. Dobat C. Sidaw B. Mi gyaung D. Palwei
 10. What long-necked fretted musical instrument in Thailand has four strings?
A. Jhakae C. So Dung B. Krachappo D. So Sam Sai

11. Which of the following musical instrument is not a chordophone?

A. Dan Bau C. Kong
B. Dan Sen D. Tawak tawak

12. What musical instrument from Indonesia is made of a varying number

of bamboo tubes attached to a bamboo frame?
A. Angklung C. Kulintang B. Gamelan D. Kompang

13. Which of the following does not belong to Thailand musical instrument?
A. Calung C. Pi so
B. Dan Bau D. Thon and Rammana

14. The following are musical instrument of Laos, EXCEPT:

A. Kayuthin C. Phin
B. Khim D. Ranat

15. A double-headed drum which is one of the primary instruments of gamelan

ensemble.
A. Gedombak C. Kompang
B. Gendang D. Oozi
 Additional Activities

Activity 1

Using your improvised musical instrument, create a simple rhythmic pattern

to accompany music from Southeast Asia.

1. Chan Mali Chan of Cambodia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgbGiZUikvk

2. Burungkakatua of Indonesia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boUiiuFOCcA

3. Rasa Sayang in of Indonesia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQnSM7_kssM

Rubric: Your output will be rated based on the rubrics below following the 3-point
scoring system with three being the highest.

Timing Clarity of Sound Style/Creativity Total Points

References
Book

2013. First Edition Music and Arts of Asia Learner’s Module

Online Video Clip Sources

Chan Mali Chan of Cambodia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgbGiZUikvk

Burungkakatua of Indonesia:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boUiiuFOCcA

Rasa Sayang in of Indonesia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQnSM7_kssM

Chhing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FteeDuBol8c

Kongvong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z38pHShLoMI

Skorthom:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_xysV7rjFA

Samphor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOYOIekTezE

Leron-leron Sinta: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcqN99SQdus

Chan Mali Chan in 4/4 meter of Cambodia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgbGiZUikvk

Borongkakatua in ¾ meter of Indonesia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boUiiuFOCcA

Rasa Sayang in 4/4 meter of Indonesia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQnSM7_kssM

24 CO_Q1_Music8_Module2
For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education - Bureau of Learning Resources (DepEd-BLR)

Ground Floor, Bonifacio Bldg., DepEd Complex
Meralco Avenue, Pasig City, Philippines 1600
Telefax: (632) 8634-1072; 8634-1054; 8631-4985
Email Address: [email protected] * [email protected]

25 CO_Q1_Music8_Module2