Musical
instruments in Malaysia comprise of various types of traditional instruments
and may be divided into various groups such as the wind and the stringed
instruments. Some of these instruments form an integral part of a Malay
ensemble. Some of the musical instruments in use today are derived from those
of old and have been re-designed by adding modern decorative elements to
consonise their contemporary needs. Some of the more common musical instruments
are the rebab, serunai, sapih, sompotan, kompang, and the gendang. These
instruments are played in many different styles according to their particular
genre and performance practices.
15¢●
Sampotan
The
sompotan is an aerophonic traditional musical instrument popular among the
Dusun people of Sabah. This instrument consists of bamboo pipes with single
reed tongues fitted vertically into the empty shell of a small dried gourd
which functions as a wind bellow. The pitch on the sompotan is controlled by
the ability of the player in the usage of his fingers on the finger holes and
the pipe ends. The sompotan produces a sweet tone and is capable of producing
drone bass sounds together with harmony. The sompotan can provide entertainment
as a solo instrument as well as in an ensemble.
20¢●
Sapih
The
sapih is classified as a chordophonic instrument and is popular among the
indigineous people of Sarawak mainly the Kayan, Kenyah and Kelabit. The four
wire strings on the sapih are stretched horizontally across its body on top of
the many low fret-like movable bridges which are placed on top of its neck or
fingering board. The first of the four strings creates the melody while the
remaining three strings produce the drone sounds. Earlier models of the Sapih
used only two strings made out of finely split rotan. The Sapih can be played
as a solo instrument or in a duet to accompany a warrior like dance called
Ngaja, and the Datun Julud which is performed by ladies.
50¢●
Serunai
Serunai
is the only aerophonic Malay traditional musical instrument present in the
Wayang Kulit Kelantan, Menora and Silat ensemble. The serunai is used as
accompaniment in the court dances known as Tari Asyik and Inai. The serunai has
quadruple reeds made from the palmyra palm and is the principal melodic
instrument in an ensemble. This instrument is made of a conical tube of
hardwood which has seven finger holes in the front and one at the back. The
instrument is usually ornamented with carvings at the upper and lower ends of
its body. Melody is produced by means of a circular breathing technique in
which the flow of air through the reeds is never stopped.
80¢● Rebab
The
rebab is a three-stringed chordophonic Malay traditional musical instrument.
The instrument has an elongated triangular-shaped body carved from hardwood,
usually the wood of the jack-fruit tree. The front face of the body is covered
with a layer of the cow’s inner stomach, and a small lump of bee’s wax is
attached to the upper left side of the stretched skin. The rebab commonly
referred to as the spiked fiddle is played with an intricately carved bow. The
rebab is the melodic instrument in the Mak Yong and the Main Petri ensemble. In
the Tarik Selampit tradition the rebab appears as a solo instrument played by
Tok Selampit himself.
Technical Details
Date of Issue: 1987-03-07
Denominations: 15 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, 80 cents
Stamp Size: 27.94 mm x 44.45 mm
Sheet Composition: 50 stamps
Paper: SPM watermarked, phosphor coated
Printing Process: Lithography
Printer: Security Printers (M) Sdn. Bhd. Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Designer: Ms. Kathy Wong
