Cordillera's Musical Instruments

1. Gangsa

Is a single hand-held smooth-

surfaced gong with a narrow
rim. A set of gangsa, which is
played one gong per musician,
consists of gangsa tuned to
different notes, depending on
regional or local cultural
preferences. The number of
gangsa in a set varies with
availability, and depends on the
tradition of a particular ethnic group of the Luzon Cordillera: Kalinga, Ifugao, Bontoc,
etc.Among the Kalinga people in the Cordillera region of Luzon Island, the gangsa is
played in two ways. One way is called "toppaya" and the other is called "pattung.

2. Kalaleng or Tongali

(Nose flute) Because the kalaleng is long and has a

narrow internal diameter, it is possible to play different
harmonics through overblowing—even with the rather
weak airflow from one nostril. Thus, this nose flute can
play notes in a range of two and a half octaves. Finger
holes in the side of the bamboo tube change the
operating length, giving various scales. Players plug the
other nostril to increase the force of their breath
through the flute.

3. Tongatong

Tongatong is a bamboo percussion instrument used by the people of Kalinga to communicate

with spirits during house blessings. It is made of bamboo cut in various lengths. When you hit
it against soft earth a certain drone reverberates though the instrument's open mouth. When
an entire set of Tongatong is played in interloping rhythm and prolonged with the tribal
chanting, it could put the audience and the dancers in a trance