Music of Cordillera

Music of Cordillera
Geographical , Cultural and Historical

It is located in one of the highest and largest mountain ranges in the Philippines.

There are 6 provinces comprising it , namely. “ Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province.

This is where the famous Rice Terraces is located

They appreciate the beauty of the nature and create varied forms of artistic expressions through art forms.

Their songs have generally limited tones and the vocal style they used varies according to their day to day activities.
 Vocal Music of Cordillera
SALIDUMAY
 Song from Cordillera
specifically from the people of
Ifugao, Bontoc Provinces.

 Sung in weddings, festivals and

rituals.

 It is a response song of young

women to the kalkalimusta
songs of men during the
weaving season.

 It has a sweet melody and it

also messages of gratitude.
Instrumental Music of Cordillera
KALINGA ETHNIC MUSIC
- One of the preserve traditions that has been used for many years now.
- It has very rich in singing and instrument playing.

- The used of ethnic instruments plays an important role in the lives of the Kalinga people.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

- Is used in various rituals and festivities show differences in the construction,

the manner and style of playing them, and their sound.
Although there are striking similarities among them.
 The different ethnic instrument

1. GANGSA (an old name for copper and brass)

- It is a flat gong w/out boss and considered as the most
treasured instrument among the Kalinga.
- The Gangsa played during festivities like peace agreements,
burial rites, or head – hunting ceremonies.

The are 2 ways of playing the Gangsa

a. Gangsa - Topayya

b. Gangsa - palook
a. Gangsa - Topayya
- It is set of 6 graduated gongs tied to the belts of 6 men who kneel down
and lay their gongs on their lap.

How they play ?

1. The player strikes and slides the gong to make a ringing sound by using the left hand and
immediately producing a dampened sound as they slide the right hand toward on the surface
of the gong
2. Four players in the group produce a melody of four different tones.
3. One player strikes and deadens an ostinato or a repeating sound, while the other player
executes an improvised rhythm which later on may be played by one of the other player.

NOTE: The performance of topayya is accompanied by a dancing couple in a formal gathering.

b. Gangsa - palook
-
- It requires 6 or more men striking the inner side
of the gongs with sticks and allowing them to vibrate

How they play ?

- There are two alternating beats assigned to each
beat being played by separate groups as they dance in
a circular line.

- The women join them later on and a bigger

circle is formed.

- In final part, the women dance in circle

around the men.
 The different ethnic instrument
2. BUNKAKA or BALINBING ( bamboo buzzer)

- It is a bamboo tube with an opening or split at one end.

- This instrument may be played alone or by group,
usually by 6 players
- All players used individual rhythmic patterns and begin
and end at different times. They result in interlocking of sounds.

How they play ?

- The way of playing it is by striking the split end against
the palm of the hand to produce a buzzing sound.

NOTE: it is used by women to comfort them before they do their everyday routine to drive away the evil spirit.
 The different ethnic instrument
3. PATANGGUK (quil shaped tube)
- It is made of one internode of a long slender variety of bamboo.

How they play ?

- It is struch against a bamboo tube or a piece of hardwood.

- To produce variety of pitch and timbre , the thumbhole along

the side of the handle may be close or left open.
 The different ethnic instrument
4. PATATAG or PATETEG (leg xylophone)
- It is a set of bamboo blades in graduated sizes.
- It is played in an ensemble of 6 members by one or two sticks
and produces strong and dampened sounds.

How they play ?

- The player sit according to their size of the instrument and

place it on their lap and strike it with stick.
 The different ethnic instrument
5. TONGATONG (stamping tube)
- This are stamping tubes consisting of 6 bamboo tubes
of different lengths with a node base but open at the upper ends.

- It is played by women in 6 group for healing rites.

How they play ?

- The player strikes the base against a hard surface and is
simultaneously covering and uncovering the upper ends
of the tubes to produce different sounds.
The different ethnic instrument
6. ULIBAW (jew’s harp)

- It is a bamboo instrument made of a thin ,

narrow strip if bamboo or brass.
- It is played through plucking or striking the tip
of the instrument to produce a vibrating sound.
- It is characterized by a very thin slit with a
thin tongue at the middle part.

It names varies from tribe to tribe

 Tingguian – kolibao
- The players mouth serves as resonator ,producing varied  Apayao – uribaw
sound qualities and tone pitches.  Bontoc - ab-a’fu
 Ifugao metal harp – akpio
 Bontoc metal harp - afiw
NOTE: It is commonly used for courtship and entertainment, and is usually played solo.
The different ethnic instrument
7. KOLITONG or KULITONG

- It is stringed instrument made of a single bamboo piece around 3 –

4 inches in diameter with a node at each end
The different ethnic instrument
8. SAGGEYPO (pipe)
- It is a set of 5, 6, or more bamboo pipes with different sizes
played in 3 or more ensembles.

- Each player may be assigned to play 1 or 2 pipes.

- The instruments are played by both young and old person

relaxation periods and when they socialize with other tribes.
The different ethnic instrument
9. DIWDIW-AS (panpipes)

- It is a row of 5 or more slim bamboo tubes of varying

lengths tied to each other. This is the Igorot term for
panpipes. It is played by both young and old person during
leisure hours.
The different ethnic instrument
10. TONGALI (nose flute)

- It is an instrument from Ifugao and Kalinga.

- It has 5 finger hole and irt normally played solo.

- It is a nose flute instrument originated from many tribes and

- it is called in different names:

 Bontoc and Kankanai – kaleleng
 Isneg – baliing

NOTE: Gemma Teresa Cruz – Araneta (September 30, 1943)

She is the 1st Filipino to win the Miss International title
in 1964 and played the Tongali.
The different ethnic instrument
6. ULIBAW (jew’s harp)
The different ethnic instrument
6. ULIBAW (jew’s harp)