Guide to the Dizi Chinese Flute

A close-up photo of the Dizi’s special membrane

A dizi is a Chinese bamboo flute instrument that is notable in traditional Chinese music. This Chinese flute is played horizontally, like the western flute. Most commonly, the Dizi is carved out of a single piece of bamboo with a cork-lined blow-hole. The body of this flute features six finger holes in … Read more

Guide to Dabakan

The dabakan is a percussion instrument that originated in the Philippines. It is a single-headed drum that is usually played along with the other instruments in the kulintang ensemble. Interestingly, the dabakan is the only non-gong instrument among the five main instruments in the ensemble. According to history, the name dabakan originated … Read more

Guide to the Cowbell

Cowbells are hand percussion instruments that originated to freely roaming animals. Initially, the cowbell was used by the herdsmen in order to identify the herd to which the animals belonged. These cowbells were usually placed in the animal’s neck, making the bell ring whenever the animal move. With this, it would also … Read more

Guide to the Clavinet

A clavinet is an electronic version of the instrument clavichord. Since it is an electronic instrument, it requires a keyboard amplifier to produce a particular sound level.It was invented by a German musician named Ernest Zacharias in the 1950s and 1960s. Along with the other electromechanical instruments, the Clavinet was manufactured by … Read more

Guide to Bassoons

Bassoons are woodwind instruments that were developed during the baroque period. The word bassoon came from the French word ‘Basson,’ and the Italian word, ‘bassone.’ However, the Italian name for the bassoon is ‘fagotto,’ which is similar to the Spanish and Romanian, ‘fagot.’ In old French, the word ‘fagot’ is translated as … Read more

Guide to the Bansuri

The bansuri is an Indian side-blown flute that is mostly used in Hindustani classical music. This instrument was also called tunava or Navi in the ancient Vedic Sanskrit hymns and in other Vedic texts of Hinduism. As well as that, the bansuri was mentioned in the Sanskrit treatise on the performing arts, … Read more

Learn More About The Different Types of Synthesizers

While most synthesizers look like the piano, these musical instruments are more than what meets the eye. Their introduction significantly changed the face of popular music, as it allowed players to play any instrument they can imagine. Through the help of software, sequencers, and controllers, it integrates old sounds and modifies them … Read more

Learn More About Electrophones

As technology continued to advance, people started to create sound through electronic means in the latter part of the 18th century and signalled the birth of the electrophones. As a new musical instrument class, electrophones deviated from the traditional way of producing music and evolved to have its distinct sound. Here are … Read more