 Gabbang owned by Kontra Gapi | |
| idiophone | |
|---|---|
| Other names | bamboo xylophone, agung gabbang (Yakan), gambang (Samal), gabbang (Tausug, Palawan) |
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 111.212 |
Gabbang (Bamboo Xylophone) edit
Gabbang, also known as Bamboo Xylophone, is a bamboo instrument widely used in the southern parts of Philippines. It is a set of trapezoidal bamboo bars of increasing length. A mallet is used when playing the bamboo xylophone.
Physical Features edit
A gabbang consists of a set of trapezoidal bamboo bars with increasing size. The number of bars varies with the group that made them. For Yakan, the number ranges from 3 to 9 bamboo bars but the common agung gabbang there has 5. For Tausug, the number ranges from 14 to 22 bamboo bars but the common gabbang there has 12. Ang for Palawan, the common gabbang there has 5.
Playing Techniques edit
A bamboo xylophone is played by direct striking using a wooden mallet.
Sources edit
Dioquino, Corazon. "Philippine Bamboo Instruments", Humanities Diliman (January-December 2008) 5:1-2, 101-113