SPOTLIGHT COLLECTION: EAST ASIA

The Bangu is a combination of two instruments — the Ban and the Danpigu. Ban are clappers consisting of rectangular blocks made from bamboo or hardwood, which are tied together by a silk cord. The Danpigu is a drum with a frame made of thick wedges of hardwood glued together to form a circle, and wrapped with a metal band. Bangzi are high-pitched Chinese woodblocks, with a characteristically dry, percussive sound.

Naobo are medium-sized cymbals with a thin, flat rim and a slight upturn at the edge, while Dabo are of similar build but bigger. Both are held at the back with a cloth or rope, and clashed against each other with both hands. The dynamic range is wide, and when hit hard they are capable of evoking soul-stirring sounds. They can also be muted after a strike by pressing the rims against the player’s body.

Luo is the generic term for a gong. Daluo (large gong with falling pitch) is larger in comparison to its counterpart Xiaoluo (small gong with rising pitch). Ceremonial, majestic instruments, Gongs have great significance in Chinese percussion, and can be traced back to the 6th century. Usually made of bronze and with a plate-like shape, gongs are struck in the center with a mallet padded with felt or leather.

Hua Pen Gu and Xiao Tanggu are heavy, barrel-shaped drums with a head made from animal hide on both sides. The larger Dagu is strong and expressive, with two basic sounds — low when hit in the middle of the drum head, and mid when hit on the wooden shell or rim of the drum head. The smaller Xiao Tanggu produces solid midrange sounds, and can be played with small cymbals and gongs to create a festive atmosphere with fast rhythms.

The Jing is a large gong, which is often used to delineate the overall rhythm in traditional Korean music. Usually hung on a wooden frame, the Jing is made from high-quality sheet metal, and played with a thick, padded mallet. The Jing is associated with the sound and feeling of wind, and when played should resonate as long as possible to “embrace" the sound of the other instruments.

The Kkwaenggwari is a small, dish-like gong with a high-pitched, crashing timbre. The right hand strikes the Kkwaenggwari in different spots to bring out a range of sounds and resonances. The left hand holds the instrument with thumb and index finger, and the remaining three fingers mute and dampen the ringing of the metal, similar to a hi-hat. This playing technique can produce amazing colors and rhythms.

The Buk is a low-pitched, double-headed shallow barrel drum that is taut with animal hide. The Samul-buk has laced heads, and is played by striking it with a single stick on only one of its heads. The heads on the Sori-buk are nailed to the body of the drum. The left side is played with the bare left hand, and a birchwood stick in the right hand strikes either the drumhead or the wood of the body.

The Janggu is an hourglass-shaped drum with two heads made from animal skin. They can be played on the floor, or carried with a strap on the shoulder while dancing. The tube that connects the left and right sides determines the tone. A wider tube will sound deep and husky while a narrow one will sound hard and snappy. The Sanjo Janggu has a very rich sound, while the smaller Samul Janggu produces a louder sound.

The Sogo is a small and light drum with two membranes made from animal skin on the two sides of a thin wooden body. A short wooden handle is attached to the drum body, which is held with the right hand. The left hand plays the Sogo with a short wooden stick either on the membrane or the wood of the shell. The Sogo produces a gentle sound and often functions as a prop for choreographed dances.