HAS GULINTANGAN CHANGED
BECOME MODERN?
(Source:
http://www.brudirect.com/DailyInfo/News/Archive/Nov04/041104/nite21.htm)

Object : Gulintangan
Material : Brass, wood and rattan
Description : Consists of a set of 8 small gongs of graduated size, which are laid in a row on a wooden stand. The gongs are arranged according to its notes, from the lowest to the highest note. The wooden stand, Langkungan, consists of two long parallel woods with several rows of smaller woods in between to hold
two rattan strings. The length of the Langkungan is 1 to 2m long. The mass of the gong varies but is normally less than 1 kg.

Object : Gandang
Material : "Sadaman"
Description : This is the ancestor of Gulintangan. It consists of a set of 8 small sadaman

Object : Sadaman
Material : wood, and rattan
Description : woods placed in a row on wooden stand. The small sadaman woods are shaped with different thickness which will produced different notes.

Object : Gambus
Material : Monitor lizard skin, wood such as nyirih, nibung or angsana, string make from taras timbadak
Description : The shapes differ; it can be round, oval, boat-shaped or oblong. The front of the Gambus is covered with skin membrane, four pegs are found at the head in which 6 strings are tied from to the bottom part of the body. The length of the body is about 1 metre long

Object : Umpong
Material : Bamboo (Tamiang)
Desription : It is a simple flute which is made from bamboo. There are 7 holes in front, six at the bottom with increasing size and the 7 this the biggest hole on the top. The 8th hole is at the back and its size is the same as the 7th hole. Its length is about 20 to 30 cm long and 2 to 3 cm in diameter.

Object : Sape
Material : Wood (Merant, Pulaiei), nylon string
Desription : It has an elongated body which is hollow and the shape is like a 'sampan' (small boat) and is often called "boat lute". Three or four strings are attached at the front. The length varies until 6 feet long.

Object : Suling
Material : Bamboo (Tamiang)
Description : It is simple flute which has one open end. There are seven holes only in the front. Six of which are at the bottom and one at the top. Its length is about 45 to 50 cm long and 2 to 4 cm in diameter.

Object : Dombak
Material : Goat, Monitor lizard or Deer skin, Rattan rope
Description : A drum made up of a hollowed out log which has one end covered with animal skin. It is about 40 cm in length and weight about 1 kg

Bruneians played music by beating the drums, blowing the flute and hitting the gongs.The traditional musical instruments were invented mainly by the seven Indigenous groups of Brunei, namely: Brunei Malay(Kampung Ayer), Kedayan, Dusun, Murut, Belait, Tutung and Bisaya. Most of the instruments they owned
are similar by nature only differ by name. The various types of musical instruments of Brunei
Darussalam are: Gulintangan, Gendang Labek, Tawak-tawak, Canang, Gong, Gambus, Biola, Guritik, Dombak,Gandang Sadaman, Guriding, Tangkung, Sibin, Suling, Umpung, Koloney and Rampana.

Some traditional groups have changed to using modern
instruments........

Traditional:
Percussion - Gandang Salaman
Drum - Dombak
Wind - Umpung, Suling,
String - Gambus, Sape

Modern:
Percussion - Gulingtangan (new version)
Drum - Modern Drum
Wind - Modern Flute
String - Guitar

Gulintangan is the most important and influential instruments in the Bruneians' "Gulintangan" Orchestra (Note : Gulingtangan is an instrument and also an orchestra) since it determines when a song starts and end. The Gulintangang orchestra consists of six major traditional instruments i.e Gulintangan, Gendang Labek, Tawak-tawak, Canang and Gong. The Gulintangan orchestra is a must on any royalty ceremonies such as Royals weddings, Crownation of the King, since its status was upgraded to be the standard royalties instruments.

Whilst the other musical instruments such as Umpung, Suling, Guruding, Rampana, Gambus, Nasid, Dombak and Sape are played during leisure time in the olden days. However now it is only played during certain public ceremonies such as wedding

Well, as said at the top, the traditional intruments have been used at Royal weddings, Royal ceremonies and different functions so in the near future, i dont think there would be a change as this practice is one of the keys to Brunei's uniqueness. *AJI

Lking Through the Eyes of the Future... Well from my point of view, i think some of the instruments will be changed or some will be added or mixed.........this is because some people are losing their interest on traditional instruments and are now looking to modern and trendy instruments which have the same sound as the traditional ones......e.g. the bass sound may be or are now made by a guitar instead of drums....... well that's all for now....any questions dont hasitate to mail me.......bye.... (Source: Iqbal, SEAMEO RSIP 2004 Brunei Darussalam team)   And you wanted to know my prediction for these traditional things in 10 years right? Well actually I think they will still stay the same as these instruments symbolise the tradition and culture of Brunei. If they change and become more modernised, I frankly think that the whole culture and tradition will be partly ruined. I'm just giving you my point of view. But who knows, it could happen right? Okay.. That's all I have for now. I hope this helps. Hello... Below are the traditional musical instruments which are similar to the flute (in terms of the way you use it, i.e blowing.) These are wind instruments. I will give you a brief description of each instrument. 1. "Seruling": An instrument made of bamboo and resembles the flute. 2. "Umpong": This is made of bamboo too. It is quite similar to the Seruling but it is shorter. 3. "Koroney": This instrument can be easily found in the islands of Borneo. It is made of eight pieces of bamboo sticks connected to a dry fruit which is hollow on the inside.(I'm sorry but I am still not sure what kind of fruit is used) Another musical insrument is the "Guritik", which is a xylophone. It is made of seven pieces of copper, each having different sizes, therefore resulting in a different sound or note when hitted. All these pieces of copper are placed on a piece of wood which is shaped like a boat. "Dombak" is a musical instrument which is made of goatskin or deerskin. It resembles a drum as it produces a 'thumping' sound when hit. But you don't use drumsticks, you hit it with your hands instead. I will try and send more info about the musical instruments and arts & crafts in Brunei. I'm sorry that I can't provide you with pictures of these instruments, I got this info from a book with no pictures. (Source: Fathin, SEAMEO RSIP 2004 Brunei Darussalam team)

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