HuLuShi: Calabash Flute

Unlike other weeks, we will be staying put in China to look at my favorite Chinese instrument, the HuLuShi. The name of hulusi comes from Mandarin Chinese where "hulu" means gourd from the calabash fruit. It is also called "Bottle Gourd Silk "because of its soft and graceful sound as shaking silk. The Hulu has many different types of meanings such as good fortune, blessing, longevity and prosperity. It is also said to have the ability to improve one’s health and wealth. Since it is hard to find a similar magic instrument which can really produce “sounds of nature”, the Dai tribe men often used it as an instrument to express their love to women.

As accustomed to many of the instruments that we've gone through so far, there's a backstory to all of this. It all started when a beautiful young girl’s life was threatened by a surging flood. A young man, her "lover", saved her by holding a big bottle gourd and rushed through the waves. His stromg love and compassion to the girl touched the Buddha, who inserted bamboo pipes into a gourd and gave it to the brave man. Holding up the gold bottle gourd, the man played heartfelt music.  All of a sudden, the flood retreated and the area flourished with flowers and wildlife. From that point on, lovers flourished in the areas wherever the HuLuShi has been played.

The instrument is primarily made out of bamboo and the dried version of a calabash or often called a bottom gourd. Three bamboo sticks are attached to the gourd where two serve as drone pipes. One purpose of the bottom gourd is to be a piece of artwork that tells a story of the individuals personal life.

The sound of the HuLuShi is definitely a unique one. The drone pipes make the instrument have a sound complemented with the Chinese Clarinet known as the xiao. It can be compared to the bagpipes played in Ireland and Scotland because of the unique nature of the drone pipes. The sounds that are produced from this instrument could be said to sound like birds singing. Most of the time, if not always, the HuLuShi music represents cheer and celebration. The other instruments such as the Chinese Bamboo Flute, the zither, and the xiao are instruments that have a greater emotional and tone range as opposed to the HuLuShi. 

Below is a video that I’ve found that basically sums up the cheerful sound that the HuLuShi makes.

Personally, as a player and performer of the HuLuShi for about 6 years, I’ve always liked this instrument for its sound. It always brought my spirit up when I heard its bright and cheerful sound. When I first started playing the instrument I found it to be rather difficult. I was always accustomed to playing the Bamboo Flute where the mouth was made to a specific shape that made the sounds. Adjusting my playing structure and breathing took a while to get used to, but I would still definitely choose this instrument out of the many that I have played over the years. 

Chinese Bamboo Flute

Welcome back to another week of the musical excursion!

Today we’ll venture north to China where we’ll take a look at one of the most common instrument, the Chinese Bamboo Flute.

The flute is believed to have originated from the Western regions of modern China over 2,000 years ago. The flutes were not only made out of bamboo but was also made out of the wing bones of the red crowned crane. The shortest variation of this flute is about a foot with the largest going to as long as six or seven feet (requiring about 3 or 4 people to play).

Making one of these flutes is not a simple task. One must be extremely precise in how they carve the holes in this instrument or else the sounds will be significantly different from others. With the 8 holes that are carved, 6 comprise of different notes, one blow hole, and one hole that is used to create the sound. This hole, serves a significant purpose in that without it, the flute is deemed to be un-usable. Perhaps most particular characteristic that differs Dizi from other musical instruments is "Mo-Cong" (membrane hole), which is located between the blowhole and 6th finger hole. It was invented in the Tang Dynasty by Liu Xi who then named the flute the "Seven Star Tube". 

What makes this feature even special is its thin membrane covering. (Here's a little tutorial for you curious ones click here ! Some people mistake this membrane for rice paper. However, it is actually made from the inner tube of a bamboo or reed plant. Once Dizi is played, the membrane vibrates with the Dizi, producing a sweet, bright tone. In addition it helps to deliver the Dizi sound far away. It is said that the purpose of this great invention is "To promote tone quality". 

Also, you are able to discover the "right" tone for your specific musical mood simply by adjusting the membrane. It is not foreign for people to hold more than one type of flute for each season because temperature differences also account for the various changes in tune. Just like how it is made, these Chinese instruments also produce music that is synonymous with nature. Whether it be music depicting a waterfall, a bird chirping, or a horse galloping, all the music serves as a link between nature. (Click for some breathtaking flute music !)

In recent years, the Bamboo Flute has begun to change how it is perceived. It is no longer considered to be a musical instrument that only plays ancient or traditional musical forms. Now, it’s been increasingly found in modern pop music attracting the likes of Chinese pop sensations Jay Chou as well as American artists such as Josh Groban. It has also made its way to cinema scores in Chinese as well as American films; most recently The Karate Kid and The Forbidden Kingdom. The ability for the flute to change from a slow melody to a fast melody makes it suitable to be adapted into modern forms of music.

That’s a wrap for our adventure here in China ! Till next time !

Dan Bau: Music that touches the heart

Welcome back to another week of our musical excursion ! Last time, we were in Australia where we took a look at the infamous didgeridoo. This week, we will take our journey north to Vietnam to take a look at one of their most prized instruments, the Dan Bau. It is a single-stringed instrument just as its name implies. Dan means a stringed instrument and bau means gourd.

According to the “Dai Nam thuc luc tien bien” the first Dan Bau was made in 1770, but many sources say there have been variations of this instrument for thousands of years.

A popular urban legend of the Dan Bau’s origin tells of a blind woman who plays heart-warming music as a means of making ends meet for her family while her husband is away at war. It is said that she received the instrument from a fairy who was touched by the woman’s actions in saving her mother-in-law’s life. From that point on, the sounds and melodies of the Dan Bau have represented the beauty of the country as well as its people.  

The instrument, from the looks of it is just a wooden rod with a string attached to it. However, that is not all. The traditional Dan Bau is made up of four parts: the bamboo tube, a wooden rod, a coconut shell half, and a silk string. Each of these parts are carefully crafted to form a unique sound and shape. Presently, the instrument is made up of a wooden soundboard, spout, gourd, and an iron (guitar) string. The spout, which contributes in the variation of the string’s tension, is made of buffalo horn. The gourd on the other hand though still present in the formation of the Dan Bau, now only acts as a decorative feature. By changing over to these products, the instrument has become more durable as well as having the ability to produce even more notes.

The Dan Bau is played by using a technique that involves gently pressing on the string with the right pinky while the other fingers pluck the string using a device called the plectrum. In order to lower the pitch of the note, one must push the rod using the left index finger while pulling away from the rod produces a higher pitched note.

Unlike other traditional instruments of the world, the Dan Bau has adapted to the change in times. While other instruments have stuck to its traditional folk song origins, the Dan Bau has been included in modern pop songs as well as many film score productions. This was made possible with electrical pickups and amplifiers that has made the sound of the instrument more distinct and audible to larger audiences. However, solo performances of the Dan Bau are still widely seen and heard in all parts of Vietnam because of its ability to translate a great part of Vietnamese emotional expression through music.

If you would like to learn more about the Dan Bau check out the following blogs and videos !

http://lequangtn.wordpress.com/2010/06/15/dan-bau-a-unique-musical-instrument-of-viet-nam/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37qw5vNyYzE

The Didgeridoo

Last time we took an adventure to American Samoa where we learned about the pate, a type of drum.This week we are moving west to Australia to take a look at one of their most cherished traditional instruments, the DIDGERIDOO! What exactly is this thing with such an awesome name you might ask? It is.. as a matter of fact a wind instrument that people believe has been in existence for over 1,500 years.

A little history about this instrument..It was originally found in Arnhem Land, Northern Australia (but it is unclear as to how old it actually is). The primary use of the didgeridoo has been through Aboriginal ceremonies where nature, the dead, and storytelling have been honored.

The making of the instrument might sound rather peculiar to some, but it is what makes the instrument look and sound the way it does. It is made from a termite-hollowed bamboo or eucalyptus limb. Oftentimes the task in finding the perfect hollowed out bamboo and other materials takes a significant amount of time, because it affects the quality of the sound and its durability. After finding the perfect match, the craftsman trims the edges and removes any unnecessary bark from the to-be instrument, unveiling a one of a kind masterpiece. 

But WAIT! The instrument then goes through a whole personalized decoration process that symbolizes an important part of a performer’s life. Through playing the instrument the performer is able to bring that importance to life for all to share. Incredible isn’t it?

As part of my research, what I found to be interesting was the fact that the didgeridoo was rarely played by women. It was rather encouraged that females did not play the instrument. Though this varied from tribe to tribe, it is astonishing to see the significance it had on rights.

Now, what exactly does the didgeridoo sound like? It produces a low-pitch, resonant sound with complex rhythmic patterns ! Some people say that “if the earth had a voice it would be the sound of the Didgeridoo.” It is common for performer’s of the instrument to emit sounds that are related to animals in Australia. How is it played exactly? Well…it is played by continuously vibrating the lips while using a technique called circular breathing where you breathe in through your nose and expel the air through your mouth. Basically..you need to practice.

Recently, however, people have been noticing that playing the didgeridoo helps solve many sleeping discomforts such as sleep apnoea and snoring. 

According to the British Medical Journal, “regular training of the upper airways by didgeridoo playing reduces daytime sleepiness and snoring in people with moderate obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome and also improves the sleep quality of partners.” 

In short, if you have someone who’s decreasing your sleep time because of these reasons enroll them in a didgeridoo playing class !

That’s a wrap for this week’s excursion to Australia ! Next time, we’ll take our ship up north to Southeast Asia where we’ll explore more of their hidden musical treasures.

Here’s a video just in case you want to hear what it sounds like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEgXAu30yuY

Samoa's Finest: The Pātē

Last week we started our musical journey here in the Unites States discovering the many symbols, meanings, and stories associated with the drum played by the Native Americans. Each individual we mentioned had a different story, a different connection to the instrument they played. This week our excursion brings us 6000 miles west of the United States to American Samoa where we will look at another member of the international percussion family..the pātē ! 

A little info about American Samoa in case you were wondering ! It is considered to be an unincorporated and unorganized territory of the United States and has a population of just 55,000. There are four islands that make up the territory: Tutuila, Manu'a, Rosa Atoll, and Swains. The largest island, Tutuila, is known popularly as the Rock. What draws people to this beautiful part of the world are its beaches, coral reefs, World War II relics, and it's abundance of sporting activities. If you're into scuba diving, snorkeling, and hiking American Samoa is clearly the place to be !

Aside from the gorgeous views from the beach, underwater adventures, and its historical place in the war effort in World War II, American Samoa has a very distinct musical culture. The voice has always been an integral part of Samoan musical culture since singers reflect every emotion through the past, present, and sometimes the near future accompanied by the uniqueness of the pate. The best part of this musical culture is the pate, a hollowed out log drum that comes in various sizes. The larger the size is of the pātē, the lower the sound is. If you really put them side by side it sort of looks like the Matryoshka doll, or nesting doll for those of us that don't speak Russian. Although there are only a few instruments relative to the Samoan culture, each of these served a significant purpose in storytelling and dance. With no written language prior to the arrival of the Europeans the pātē told the many stories and legends through song and dance. Dancers complemented the pate by adding to the rhythm by clapping their hands in a variety of hand motions.

Today though, the pātē is not primarily used for the telling of stories or for dance. This instrument constantly accompanies a new popular instrument in Samoa, the ukulele (the mini-guitar as I like to call it). You’ll be able to see just how well both of these work together in producing a fusion of traditional and modern music ! 

Though our stay in Samoa was short, stay tuned next week for our journey to Australia where we visit the Indigenous Australians. Leave your coat at home and don’t forget to bring a LARGE bottle of sunscreen and H2O. ‘Till next time !

If you want to know more about not only American Samoa, but the Samoa islands and its impressive history and culture check out joegault’s blog.

http://joegault.blogspot.com/2012/05/samoa-traditions-and-modern-influence.html

Or if you’re even more curious check out this video about the pātē !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibiuUFTRHGg