tags: philippines music instrument kulintang culture
Kulintang
Kulintang refers to one of two things:
- an instrument consisting of a set of eight bossed-gongs in graduated sizes arranged from lowest to highest [pitch] and laid over a (typically) wooden frame.
- the form of [traditional music] originating in the [philippines] that utilizes the kulintang instrument
The kulintang is played by striking the knob of the gong with wooden sticks
- played at moderate to fast tempos with little to no rests and no sustained notes
The kulintang is the main part of an instrumental [ensemble] along with other gongs and a skin drum, which are common among the [mindanao] region of southern [philippines].
The region contains different styles of kulintang playing across different regions, each with their own distinct styles of playing.
Playing Techniques
Kulintang is typically played with softwood sticks. Depending on the weight and material of the sticks, the kulintang could have a harder or softer sound.
Traditional techniques:
- single strokes (simply striking the gongs)
- double strokes
- sabay: two notes at once
- grace notes
- damping the gongs
- ostinato (drone)
- hitting with the middle or end of a stick to produce different tones
- hitting the rim of the gong produces a sharper, more metal-sounding tone
Non-traditional techniques:
- playing 2 notes with one stick
- changing gongs in the middle of the piece to change the mode/tuning/feel mid-piece
- takes a few seconds; can't do it while playing
- using sticks with rubber ends, like those for agung or gandingan, for a different and rounder tone
Tuning
See: [Kulintang tuning]
Improvisation
Kulintang music is highly improvised!.
- all the rhythmic frenzy by kulintang master performers in recordings and live performances are all improv
Kulintang players are not taught strict, written pieces, but rather taught how to improvise on [rhythmic modes] and patterns.
- difficult to develop a "feel" for kulintang rhythmic modes or patterns
- understanding these patterns takes practice and listening
Listening Examples
- Aga Mayo Butocan - Maguindanao Kulintang (Spotify)
- Gandingan Group Sa Dulawan (YouTube)
- Kulintang sa Taguig sa Maharlika (YouTube)
- Transfusion (2015) - Harold Andre (YouTube)
Maguindanao Style
The [maguindanao] playing style is said to depict the "rippling waves of the sea"
- rapid and fierce
Similarities across cultures
Many people relate kulintang to instruments in other cultures, such as the
- bonang of Indonesian gamelan ensemble
- khong wong yai in Thai music
- kyi waing in Burmese music
Unlike these gong instruments, the kulintang has a much [faster decay of sound. Its sustain is not as long], resulting in pieces being played in moderate to fast tempos with little to no rests.
Learning Nuances
- Harold Andre (Manila-based musician) learned under a Maguindanaon master (Professor Aga Mayo Butocan) in Tagalog, meaning he was taught in Tagalog (his language) and not in Maguindanaon (her language)
- she has crafted a way to teach kulintang in an academic setting
- not a strictly traditional way of teaching, so there may be lost nuance