ABOUT ANGKLUNGS
The angklung is a member of the idiophone class of
instruments, a set of tuned bamboo
tubes (chimes) made in the nations of
southeast Asia. Typically, each unit consists of two tubes tuned an octave
apart, suspended in a bamboo frame. The lower end of the suspended tube moves
in a slot that guides it to strike another tube to produce its note. When
struck quickly, a “pizzicato” type note is produced, but when shaken rapidly, a
pleasant sustained resonating note results. For centuries, the traditional
Gamelan set of Angklung chimes has been tuned to a pentatonic (5 note) scale.
In more recent times, they have also been tuned to a 7 note diatonic scale which
enables them to play contemporary western music and to be used in ensembles with
modern instruments.
Angklungs are often played with each player holding one or two notes of differing pitches, much as in a modern handbell choir. (This method of playing requires large numbers of players to produce a significant range of notes for most pieces of music.) Often, octave-size sets of Angklungs are suspended from racks or frames that allow one musician to play an entire octave (or even two octaves) for an ensemble. These sets have bamboo tubes varying from about 6 inches to 10 inches for the highest-pitched octave, up to 6 feet or more for the lowest pitches.
On the internet are several very useful sites for those wanting more information about Angklungs. Just enter “Angklung” on any of the good search engines to find them.