Music

Project Proposal done by Foo Chuan Eng
M.I.B
Negara Brunei Darussalam
AESOTOPE
ASIA-EUROPE SCIENTISTS OF TOMORROW PROGRAMME
Genoa, Italy
26 October to 3 November 2004
APPLICATION FORM
COUNTRY:
NEGARA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
PROJECT TITLE (max. 25 words):
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
OF
THE INNOVATIVE INDIGENOUS BRUNEIANS
PROJECT ACRONYM (max. 5 characters):
M. I. B
PROJECT DESCRIPTION (max. 1,000 words):
Introduction:
Music has always played an important role for the human race. The role ranges simply from
providing pleasures or entertainments to more importantly as a media of ensuring close relation
between nations. There had been a tremendous change in the music we listen today, shifting from
the traditional folk songs to the modern due to revolution in the musical instruments. Most of the
modern musical instruments are the improved version of the traditional one with the support of
scientific theory. The quest is how did our ancestor invented or produced such instrument
lacking any scientific knowledge? What inspired them in the making of these instruments?
In Brunei Darussalam, traditional music has existed for centuries since the reign of Sultan
Bolkiah, theDESCRIPTION
fifth Sultan of Brunei.
It was recorded in the Sung Dynasty (960 – 1727 AD),
PROJECT
(continued):
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Project Proposal done by Foo Chuan Eng
M.I.B
Negara Brunei Darussalam
PROJECT DESCRIPTION (continued):
Bruneians played music by beating the drums, blowing the flute and hitting the gongs.
(Groeneveldt, W.P. 1876:109)1. 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.
This project will compare the traditional musical instruments of the Brunei Darussalam and the
modern musical instruments. Are the difference simply by nature of their appearance or more
specifically the sound (scientific components) they produce? It will be interesting to examine
whether these differences result in the replacement of most of the traditional musical instruments
in Brunei Darussalam and worldwide.
The project focuses on four categories of the musical instruments, namely Wind (Aerophones),
String (Chordophones), Drum (Membranophoes) and Percussion (Metallophones) and compare
within their categories as shown in the Table 1 below.
Instruments
Percussion
Traditional Gandang Sadaman
Modern
Gulintangan
(new version)
Drum
Dombak
Modern
Drum
Table 1
Wind
Umpung,
Suling,
Modern Flute
String
Gambus
Sape
Guitar
Gulintangan is the most important and influential instruments in the Bruneians’Gulintangan
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. It
is even made compulsory for students to study these instruments in our own MIB textbook which
stands for Melayu Islam Beraja ( Malay Islamic Monarchy- our national ideology that affirms the
country’s cultural and religious traditions and absolute monarchy). This is the intention of why the
acronym M.I.B is used for the project title.
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.
Brunei Darussalam is aware of the importance of their traditional musical instruments. This can be
shown by the existing of Gulintangan competitions among secondary schools and more
importantly courses for making Gulintangan is offered in Brunei Handicraft Centre. This indicates
the effort made by the Brunei government to preserve the traditional musical instruments,
particularly since the country has decided to promote the tourism industry so as to diversify our
economy and not too dependent on the oil and gas industry only. Reconciled with the prediction
made by Mr. Jean Christophe Robles Epinosa, the Tourism Expert from the Ministry of Industry
and Primary Resources quoted as…
“ A vast boom for the Bruneian tourism industry is expected by the year 2020 when 316 000
tourists are likely to touch down in Brunei per year. An average of 4,300 visitors to our country
can be anticipated daily. ” 2
PROJECT DETAILS:
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Project Proposal done by Foo Chuan Eng
M.I.B
Negara Brunei Darussalam
PROJECT DESCRIPTION (continued):
Aims:
To demonstrate how science and technology has been applied to the traditional musical
instruments and later the development into the modern musical instruments.
Objectives:
1. To allow the students to identify the sound produced by different musical instruments.
2. To record the sound produced by the traditional and modern musical instruments.
3. To compare the sound produced by the traditional and modern musical instruments.
4. To investigate why there is a different in the sound produced by the traditional and
modern musical instruments.
5. To compare waveform produced by the sound of traditional and modern musical
instruments.
Methodologies:
1. To interview locals.
a) Students will interview locals who are expert in playing the Gulintangan,
Umpong, Suling, Gandang Sadaman, Dombak, Gambus and Sape and will record
the sound for laboratory experiments.
b) Students need to record sound produced by the equivalent modern musical
instruments, for instance modern flute equivalent to Umpung, for laboratory
experiments.
2. Background study of the scientific theories and concepts of sound.
Students need to do the background research either from textbooks and internet with
teacher’s supervision. Students need to understand the following key-concepts:
a) How sound is produced? What is sound wave?
b) How musical note is produced? What is the difference between noise and
musical note?
c) What are the properties or characteristics to describe musical notes?
d) What is meant by the terms amplitude, frequency, loudness, pitch and quality?
e) Is it possible to show sound wave pattern produced by certain instruments?
f) What are the scientific concepts behind the making of musical instruments?
g) Any differences in the scientific theories of making of string, woodwind and
percussion or drum instruments?
PROJECT DETAILS:
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INFM
Project Proposal done by Foo Chuan Eng
M.I.B
Negara Brunei Darussalam
PROJECT DESCRIPTION (continued):
3. Laboratory experiment to observe waveform produced by different musical instruments.
a) Students will seek the assistance of lecturers from the Physics Department, Faculty
of Science at University of Brunei Darussalam to learn detail instructions and
concepts of using Cathode Ray Oscilloscope.
b) The students need to learn the methods of how to show the waveform produced by
the string, drum, flute and percussion instruments on the Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope.
c) Students will observe and record down the different waveforms produced by
different instruments.
4. Visits
a) Organize visits to observe and learn the methods of making some of the traditional
instruments.
b) Visits to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Brunei Handicraft Centre,
Brunei History Centre and other relevant institutions to obtain further information
on the musical instruments.
5. Playing the musical instruments.
The students will be given training on how to play Gulintangan, Umpong, Suling,
Gambus, Sape and Dombak.
6. Students may create musical instrument.
The students may be able to create their own musical instruments during the project.
After gaining knowledge on the scientific theory and the making of traditional musical
instruments. This would be a bonus reward for both the students and teacher.
Significance of the project:
Significance to Science:
will illustrate the marvels of scientific principles
in the improvement of the making of the musical
instruments in the modern era.
Significance to Brunei:
will promote interest among the younger generations
in their culture.
will create possible tourists destination by building a centre
for the performance of traditional music.
PROJECT DETAILS:
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Project Proposal done by Foo Chuan Eng
M.I.B
Negara Brunei Darussalam
PROJECT DESCRIPTION (continued):
References:
Hajah Kaipah Haji Tuah. Alat Muzik Tradisional Brunei (Brunei Traditional Music
Instruments). Brunei Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, 1993
Santos R.P. The Musics of Asean. ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information. 1995
Wu Zong Yu, Prof., The discovery of the Royal Brunei Mausoleum in Nanjing Chine.
Language, Literature and Cultural Congress working paper.
Awang Bin Ahmad. Gulintangan sebagai satu permainan muzik tradisional
(Gulintangan as one of traditional musical instrument). Brunei Dewan Bahasa dan
Pustaka, 1985
http://www.geocities.com/sapeborneo/
http://go.to/bruneimusic
1
W.P. Notes on Malay Archipelago and Malacca compiled from Chinese Sources,
Batavia, 1876.
2
Borneo Bulletin dated 7th May 2004.
3
Hodgson.W. – Essential Principles of Physics 2nd Edition, British Library, 1989
PROJECT DETAILS:
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Project Proposal done by Foo Chuan Eng
M.I.B
Negara Brunei Darussalam
Photographs/Graphics of the exhibit/object (max. 2 photos/graphics)
Gulingtangan
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Project Proposal done by Foo Chuan Eng
M.I.B
Negara Brunei Darussalam
Description of the exhibit/object (max. 300 words)
The musical instruments listed in Table 1 will be displayed and the following is a brief
description.
Object
Gulintangan
Material
Brass,
wood and
rattan
Gandang
Sadaman
“Sadaman”
wood, and
rattan.
Gambus
Umpong
Sape
Suling
Dombak
Monitor lizard
skin, wood
such as nyirih,
nibung or
angsana,
string make
from taras
timbadak
Bamboo
(Tamiang)
Wood
(Merant,
Pulaiei),
nylon string,
Bamboo
(Tamiang)
Goat, Monitor
lizard or Deer
skin, Rattan
rope.
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.
This is the ancestor of Gulintangan. It consists of a set of 8 small sadaman
woods placed in a row on wooden stand. The small sadaman woods are
shaped with different thickness which will produced different notes.
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.
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 7th is 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.
It has an elongated body which is hollow and the shape is like a sampan and
is often called “boat lute”. Three or four strings are attached at the front.
The length varies from 1 to 6 feet long.
3
2
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.
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.
Modern Drum, Modern Flute and Guitar will be brought and displayed and use along with the traditional
instruments during the exhibition.
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Project Proposal done by Foo Chuan Eng
M.I.B
Negara Brunei Darussalam
List of actions that a visitor must do with respect to the exhibit/object (max. 3 sets of
actions)
To view the waveforms produced by the musical instruments.
Visitor can play the musical instruments and observe the waveform produced by this
instrument on the Cathode Ray Oscilloscope. They can play both the traditional and
modern version of the instruments to observe any differences of the waveform produced.
The pair of instruments is shown in the Table 2.
Traditional
Gandang Sadaman
Gambus, Sape
Suling, Umpung
Dombak
Modern
Gulintangan
Guitar
Flute
Drum
Table 2
List of observations that the visitor can make when using the exhibit or object (max. 3 sets
of observations)
1. Visitors can observe the displayed waveforms from CRO
(a) the waveforms patterns obtained from their laboratory experiments will be
displayed.
(b) visitors can view the waveforms produced by the various instruments from CRO on
the spot
2. Video on the Bruneians perfoming traditional music.
Visitors can see the Gulintangan orchestra performance by the Bruneians during
Royalty functions. They can also see how locals and students play musical instruments
during leisure time or special functions.
3. visitors can note the differences between traditional and modern musical instrument
during the exhibition whereby the students and the teacher at the same time wear the
indigenous traditional costumes.
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Project Proposal done by Foo Chuan Eng
M.I.B
Negara Brunei Darussalam
Description of the connection between the exhibit/object and the scientific principle (max.
300 words)
The music that is produced by the instrument itself is in fact an aspect of science.
A musical note is produced when the sound is pleasant, it is heard when the waveform is
periodic (Hodgson, W)3.
Musical notes are described by three properties:
a) Loudness
Loudness is affected by the amplitude produced by the instrument. The greater the
amplitude the louder is the sound.
b) Pitch
Pitch is the property enables one to distinguish different sound. A high pitch is produced
when the frequency is high.
c) Quality.
A property enables one to distinguish sound produced by different instruments. This is
because different musical instruments produced a different quality of sound.
The explanation below gives a brief description of how some of the musical instruments are
related to the scientific principles.
a) Gulintangan
The process of making the gong involves scientific theory. First, the maker needs to
know the type of metals used to form alloy of bronze. Then need to make accurate
measurement of the amount of metals to make this alloy. This will determine the sound
it produces. Later, the thickness of each gong needs to be considered to produce the
necessary pitch for the right musical notes.
b) Gambus and Sape
The main components of Gambus, the animal skin and the strings, affect the sound it
will produce. The scientific theory behind is because the sound is produced by the
vibration of the skin. A tightens skin, meaning increasing its tension, will produced a
higher pitch. The same theory is applicable for the strings. String make of different
materials, metal or nylon, will affect the quality of the notes. To produce a musical note,
the vibration needs to have a constant frequency which will produce a stable pitch.
c) Umpong and Suling.
The length of the bamboo and size of the holes of the instrument determine the note, i.e.
is the pitch that it produces. A simple explanation is the lowest note is produced when
all the tone holes are closed and when the length of the pipe is the longest.
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Project Proposal done by Foo Chuan Eng
M.I.B
Negara Brunei Darussalam
Description of handling/transport of the exhibit/object (for the evaluation of transport needs
and costs, please indicate the exhibit/object size, weight, and/or any specific technical
requirement)
Objects
1. Gulintangan
2. Gandang Sadaman
3. Umpong and Suling
4. Sape
5. Gambus
6. Dombak
7. Guiter
8. Flute
9. Drum
10. Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope
11. Projector screen
12. Microphone
Size (Length and Weight)
Weight of gongs: 15 kg
Length of the wood: 2 m
Sadaman wood each 30 cm in length.
Weight : 8 kg.
Length: 15 to 50 cm
Weight: 100g
Length : 1.5m
Weight : 1 kg
Length : 1 m
Weight : 1 kg
Weight: 500g
Length : 1.5 m
Weight 1 kg
Length : 50 cm
Weight : 500 g
Weight : 500g
Weight: 5 kg
13. Tables
Small projector screen.
Microphone for the sound input to the Cathode
Ray Oscilloscope,
4 Microphones. ( if the CRO sets do not have
microphone sets itself)
5 tables
14. Display boards
3 sets of any size.
Special Remarks
Will be send in cargo by plane.
Will be send in cargo by plane.
Will be send in cargo by plane.
Will be send in cargo by plane.
Will be send in cargo by plane.
Will be send in cargo by plane.
Will be send in cargo by plane
Will be send in cargo by plane
Will be send in cargo by plane
Will bring 2 sets from Brunei.
Need the organizer to provided another 2 sets
Electricity supply (240 V).
A white screen or wall will be required.
Will bring 2 sets from Brunei.
Need organizer to provide another 2 sets
Need to be provided for putting laptop, projector,
and musical instrument.
PARTICIPATING STUDENTS: (min. of 2 members; max. of 5 members)
Last Name
First Name
Date of Birth (dd/mm/yy)
Last Name
First Name
Date of Birth (dd/mm/yy)
Last Name
First Name
Date of Birth (dd/mm/yy)
Last Name
First Name
Date of Birth (dd/mm/yy)
Last Name
First Name
Date of Birth (dd/mm/yy)
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Project Proposal done by Foo Chuan Eng
M.I.B
Negara Brunei Darussalam
TEACHER/SUPERVISOR:
Last Name
First Name
Address
!
"" #
Phone Number
Fax Number
$$%&' (
Email Address
) *+
,+ -
#*
NAME AND CONTACT DETAILS OF REFERENCE SCHOOL1:
Name: Sekolah
Menengah
Sultan Hassan
CONTACT
DETAILS
OF REFERENCE
SCHOOL:
Address: Sekolah Menengah Sultan Hassan,
Bangar, Temburong,
Brunei Darussalam.
Telephone Number: + 673 5 221415
Fax Number
: + 673 5 221849
ABOUT THE REFERENCE SCHOOL:
Sekolah Menengah Sultan Hassan school is famous for their excellence
performance in PRYNSA (Princess Rashidah Young Nature Scienctis Award),
organized annually by the Forestry Department, Ministry Of Industry and Primary
Resources Brunei Darussalam. The school had been the winner of the award for three
consecutive times that the school took part. Last year, another project was again selected
1 for the PRYNSA competition and I was the supervisor involved. We came as the second
A project team could comprise members of different High or Secondary schools. However, one school must be chosen
and
indicated
runner
up.as the “Reference School” for the AESOTOPE Programme. Please also indicate the school's postal address,
phone and fax numbers, and e-mail address.
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Project Proposal done by Foo Chuan Eng
M.I.B
Negara Brunei Darussalam
ABOUT THE REFERENCE SCHOOL (continued):
Sekolah Menengah Sultan Hassan was where I had completed my secondary
education. Now, ten years later, I am actually an education officer teaching in what
considered being my mother school. I am not the only one, there are few other teachers
who came back to pay their contribution to the school. Miss Jauyah binti Tuah, who has
been transferred to Science, Technology and Environment Partnership ( STEP) Centre,
the contact person for AESOTOPE for Brunei Darussalam, is also a former student and
teacher from this school. The school, over the past twenty years, not only produced
educational officers but also produced few Doctors.
An additional beauty of the school is that it is located in Temburong District, a
district that need a 45 minutes boat journey from the capital city, Bandar Seri Begawan.
It is the only secondary school in the district named after our present King, Sultan
Hassanal Bolkiah. Temburong district is famous for one of the tourist’s favourite
destination such as the Kuala Belalong Rainforest Field Studies Centre, the Ulu
Temburong National Park and the Outward Bound Brunei Darussalam (OBBD). It is
bonus point for the students in the district to carry out any scientific study or school trip
since it is closed to this natural heritage.
……
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