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MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS OF PENINSULAR MALAYSIA | ||
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The serunai is a reed wind instrument. The instrument is hand-carved, and is usually highly ornamented with intricate detailing and painting. Much like western reed instruments, the serunai is made in varying lengths which affect its register. In western musical terminology, these might be called "soprano," "tenor," or "alto." In Malay, the instrument is referred to as anak (i.e. small or child), or ibu (i.e. large or parent). The design of the serunai reed is similar to that used in the bassoon or English horn. The serunai is played using a technique known a "circle breathing" or "cycle breathing." In this technique air is drawn in through the nose as it is simultaneously blown through the instrument. The resulting sound is constant note or drone. |
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| Variations on the bamboo flute are found throughout Asia. Some are played "piccolo" style, while others are played like a recorder (as demonstrated above by a Balinese musician). Some bamboo flutes incorporate a rice paper resonator. "Cycle breathing" techniques are used when playing the bamboo flute, in the same manner as that used with the serunai. |
