What is the Angklung musical instrument?

You may not be familiar with the Angklung, but if you've ever visited Indonesia, you've almost likely heard its distinctive musical rattling. This one-of-a-kind instrument was created by the Sundanese people in West Java and has been recognised by UNESCO as a "masterpiece of humanity's oral and intangible heritage." Let us investigate more.

The Angklung is made up of two to four bamboo tubes hung on a bamboo frame connected by rattan rope. Making one of these instruments is a time-consuming operation that involves experienced artisans precisely honing the tubes to certain diameters. Each of these tubes generates a distinct melody when the bamboo frame is shook or touched. As a result, the Angklung is a member of the idiophone family of musical instruments, which also includes the singing bowl, steel-tongue drum, and marimba—all of which make sound by vibrating.

Some Angklung create just one note or chord, necessitating the formation of Angklung orchestras to perform melodic works. Others have numerous tubes that produce distinct tones. The pentatonic scale is used by traditional Angklungs. These scales are a Western creation that was most likely introduced during the colonial period. Prior to that, Angklung melodies were most likely microtonal. Daeng Soetigna, a musician, pioneered the usage of the diatonic scale in Angklungs in 1938. These were dubbed Angklung Padaeng.

The Angklung is an integral part of Indonesian culture, with the instrument prominently included in traditional traditions and arts. It is frequently heard at rice planting, harvest, and circumcision rites. The black bamboo used to make the Angklung is traditionally picked during the two weeks of the year when the cicadas sing. To allow for continuing development, the canes are always trimmed three segments above the soil line. This kind of information, as well as traditional music, is passed down orally from generation to generation.