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MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS OF PENINSULAR MALAYSIA | ||
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The gambus is much like the "lute." Its twelve strings (six pairs of two) are plucked with a plectrum or "pick." Unlike western instruments such as the mandolin, the gambus has no frets. The gambus appears to have evolved from Arabic instruments in appearance, tuning and performance style. |
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The rebab is a three-stringed instrument which is bowed. The hand-carved and highly ornamented rebab gets its resonance from a membrane or skin which is stretched tightly across the instrument's body. The bow is slack until the player creates tension by pulling the hairs tight. The rebab is held vertically when played. Both the sound and playing style of the rebab borrow from the Chinese erhu, or two-stringed "violin." |
