Angklung

Definition Terminology Angklung is an instrument made from joints of a piece of bamboo. The use of angklung is swayed and shaken by hand. This instrument has been known since a long time ago in some places in Indonesia, especially in West Java, Central Java, East Java, and Bali (Indonesia). The word 'Angklung' was originated from Sundanese "angkleung-angkleungan", that means the movement of angklung player and the sound "klung" that comes from the instrument. form left to right: melodic angklung 2 tubes, melodic angklung 3 tubes, major accompaniment angklung & minor accompaniment angklung.   Etymology Etymologically, angklung was taken from the word 'angka' that means tone and 'lung' that means broken. So, angklung refers to the broken tone or incomplete tone.   Angklung's Philosophy Based on Sundanese ancestor, human's life is symbolized like angklung's tube. The tube is personified the human itself. Angklung is not an angklung if it consists of only one tube. It symbolizes the human that cannot stand alone and describe that human should socialize with others. Besides that, the tube of angklung consists of large and small tube that symbolizes human's growth. The small tube (on the left) is a human's description that has dreams and the effort to become large (the large tube on the right). Both tubes mean human knows and understand about her/his limits, and like the two tubes that play together so they produce harmony, humans live together to create harmonization in society life   Parts of Angklung Angklung consists of some parts: Voice tube that consists of two tubes The small tube lies on the left and, The large tube lies on the right. Ancak, that is angklung's skeleton, divided into some parts: Jejer, part from ancak (angklung's skeleton) Base tube (below part) Palang Gantung as tube holder.

Courtesy of Saung Angklung Udjo (http://www.angklung-udjo.co.id/)

History of Angklung by Saung Udjo (Video)

Sasando a Traditional Music Instrument from Rote Island (Indonesia)

What is Sasando ?

Sasando is a stringed musical instrument or cordophone type musical instrument. It comes from the island of Rote, East Nusa Tenggara Indonesia. The most southern island in Indonesia archipelago. (My father in law was born in this island)
Sasando word comes from Rote word sasandu. It means vibrant instrument

Sasando form is similar to other stringed instruments such as guitar, violin and harp.

Sasando 

The main part of the long tubular Sasando commonly made from bamboo. Then in the middle, circling from top to bottom is placed some lumps in which the strings that stretched across the tube, from top to bottom resting. The wedge gives different tone  to each passage of the string. Then this Sasando tube placed in a container made from a kind of woven palm leaves (Lontar leaves ) like a fan made. This container is the place of Sasando resonance

The composition of the notation is irregular and you can not see it because it is wrapped.  Sasando is played with both hands from the opposite direction. From left to right and left to right. Left hand plays the melody and bass, while right hand plays the accord. That makes Sasando unique because somebody could play the melody, bass, and accord at once. And the harmony is awesome.

Sasando's sound is very unique. Compare to guitar, Sasando's sound is more various. Sasando has 28 strings and it hard to play. Sasando player should have the ability to combine and make the right rythm and feeling from the whole strings.

Rote Island, East Nusa Tenggara. Indonesia

The History of Sasando

Ana Sanggu created the early shape of Sasando in the 15th century on a small island near the island of Rote, the Dana Island , which then controlled by the Taka La'a King. Sanggu is citizen on the island of Nusa Ti'i Southwest Rote. He was arrested by the King  when stranded on the island while searching for fish with his friend, Mankoa. In addition to a fisherman, Sanggu also an artist.

The King at that time had a daughter. Princess in love with Sanggu. To Sanggu, the Princess requests for a new instrument created by Sanggu that could entertain people. Princess likes to entertain  people when the moon is full.

Sanggu then created the Sari Sando, an instrument that is vibrating when picked. As with seven ropes made from wooden roots. The Princess relationship with Sanggu was discovered by King . The King Taka La'a was furious and executed Sanggu.

Sanggu mate who could run away, Mankoa, reported it to the Nusa Ti'i. Sanggu's son in Ti'i, Nale Sanggu, angry at his father died. Nale revenge with 25 knights Ti'i. He destroyed the whole Dana island, only the children and musical instruments Sasando inherited from his father who rescued to Ti'i.

In  Ti'i, Sasando was modified, the string added to nine. "The music only consist of five notes mi, sol, la, do, re. Si and fa did not exist.

In the Dutch period, 18th century, the number of strings added to 10 strings. After independence again amended by adding a string to 11 string. In the 19th century, Sasando (Sasando haik)  was modified into a violin by Ti'i son named Kornelis Frans. Called Sasando violin because when it created the tone is adjusted like the violin tone. Number of ropes become 39 pieces and the main tone become 7 notes.

A man wearing Tiilangga (traditional hat) with Sasando beritadaerah.com

Type of Sasando

Sasando Engkel : Sasando that has 28 strings
Sasando Dobel  :  Sasando that has 56 strings, some type has 84 strings.
Sasando Gong (Sasando Haik)
Sasando Biola (Violin Sasando)

Bengawan Solo Sasando Cover (Video)