A retired professor and consultant of the Taiwan Bamboo Orchestra visited DOST- Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) last 3-7 February 2020 to conduct a training on bamboo musical instruments (BMI) making and tuning. The workshop was attended by 34 FPRDI employees and 2 staff from the University of the Philippines Diliman (UP).
Among other things, Dr. Wu Shih-Yin discussed the basic concepts and categories of musical instruments, and the production of BMIs using scientific calculations. He also explained why bamboo is a preferred material for musical instruments in some areas in South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.
“BMI making requires a combination of scientific knowledge, aesthetics and craftsmanship,” shared Wu. “Everything starts with interest and inspiration. What is important is that BMI makers appreciate and enjoy the music from the instruments,” he noted.
The participants were trained on making and tuning the tongatong, marimba, angklung and pan pipe during the 5-day workshop. To the delight of the audience composed of FPRDI employees, they performed “Bahay Kubo” using BMIs at the closing program.
The workshop is part of the “Bamboo Musical Instruments R&D Program” that seeks to develop technologies that will prolong the life of bamboo without negatively affecting the musical instruments’ sound quality; standardize the production of selected BMIs; develop prototype design; analyze raw material sources and existing markets; document BMI use and production of indigenous groups and commercial makers; and build a BMI processing facility. It also aims to raise public awareness and appreciation for the cultural importance of BMIs.
Funded by the DOST Grants-in-Aid, the R&D program is a collaboration among DOST-FPRDI, UP Center for Ethnomusicology, UP Electronics and Electrical Engineering Institute and the Philippine Normal University.### (Apple Jean C. Martin- de Leon, 26 February 2020)
