| Those of us in western civilizations are | | | | |
| accustomed to a large variety of instruments. | | | | Another unique string instrument is the Veena |
| However, there are many types of instruments | | | | from southern India. This instrument has |
| that you will never see in any orchestra. | | | | resonance chambers at each end. The Veena |
| They are, however, worth your consideration, | | | | (also called Vina) is somewhat like a lute |
| both for their uniqueness of structure, but | | | | and has a sound like a very mellow sitar. |
| of sound. | | | | |
| | | | There is one type of instrument that you may |
| One of the things that I really wanted to do | | | | already have and not realize it. That is the |
| in Borneo was bring home a number of the | | | | rain stick. It is made of a hollow tube of |
| stringed instruments that I saw in the shops | | | | wood - often bamboo - with beeds or seeds in |
| of Kuching, Sarawak - the sape. But, I did | | | | it. You tip it back and forth to make a |
| not have enough money at the time.The sape or | | | | soothing sound. |
| sapeh is a guitar type instrument shaped | | | | |
| somewhat more like a lute. It normally has | | | | Another type of instrument that is commonly |
| four strings, but occaisionally has 3 or 5. | | | | taken home without thinking of it as being a |
| | | | musical instrument is the thumb piano or |
| Several of the tribes in Borneo use this | | | | kalimba. These strange instruments are made |
| instrument. I saw one man in the Sarawak | | | | by attaching strips of metal into a sounding |
| Cultural Village that made them. He gave us a | | | | board. These are then plucked in a downward |
| short concert that was simply enchanting.The | | | | motion of the thumb to make a tone. They are |
| sound that was much more common in our | | | | different sizes so that a melody can be |
| travels in Sarawak was the combination of | | | | played. |
| brass gongs and drums. The gongs are sold by | | | | |
| Chinese traders up and down the rivers and so | | | | Something that I've tried to play a couple of |
| at least one set is found in every longhouse. | | | | times is the didgeridoo. I would love to |
| A set of these gongs would be a good addition | | | | become adept at playing this unique |
| to any musical instrument collection. | | | | instrument. It is basically just a tube that |
| | | | the Australian aborigines use to produce a |
| Musical instruments are typically found in | | | | delightfully soulful sound by blowing in it. |
| three different groups - string, wind, and | | | | This one definitely goes in the rhythm |
| percussion. They can be further divided by | | | | section because there is not really any tune |
| the type of material they are made of and | | | | possible. |
| whether they are designed to play melody or | | | | |
| for rhythm. | | | | Drums come in all shapes and sizes and make |
| | | | noise in more ways than you can imagine. You |
| One unique string instrument that would make | | | | could make a very interesting collection just |
| a great collectors item would be the | | | | of these instruments. |
| gopichand. This unique instrument has a | | | | |
| single string and it is held tight by two | | | | You may not decide to make a large collection |
| strips of bamboo. The bamboo is then squeezed | | | | of unique musical instruments, but you should |
| together to change the tone of the note. It | | | | definitely put them on your list of things to |
| is typically used for rhythm. This intrument | | | | consider bringing home. |
| is from Bengal. | | | | |