Workshop Strives to Keep Bamboo Instrument Tradition Alive
- 14 years ago
A unique sound in one Indonesian village. A workshop is trying to keep the music of an ancient bamboo instrument alive. But with a bit of a modern twist.
After school everyday, some 50 Indonesian children and teenagers between the ages of three and 17 gather at this workshop.
They rehearse and play a traditional bamboo musical instrument called the angklung.
It started out with just a handful of children in the 60s, but now about 600 people are enrolled.
[Satria Yanuar, Workshop Operational Manager]: Bahasa Indonesia male
"This bamboo instrument workshop aims to conserve the art by bringing its essence into a performance art which is acceptable so that it will not die out."
Each instrument only produces one note.
[Satria Yanuar, Workshop Operational Manager]: Bahasa Indonesia male
"Practicing bamboo instruments can train people to be disciplined, therefore bamboo instruments are used as a device to strengthen team-building in an organization, for example. To play a bamboo instrument you have to be in a group, you can't play it alone."
Now, the daily two-hour "Bamboo Music Afternoon Show" at the workshop is a favorite stop for visitors, both foreigners and locals.
Visitors also get a lesson on how to play the bamboo instruments.
[John, Dutch Tourist]: English
"I am a little bit musician at home so I enjoy very much the Angklung."
Most of the performers have traveled to play in countries like Japan, Germany, Netherlands, South Korea and Switzerland.
After school everyday, some 50 Indonesian children and teenagers between the ages of three and 17 gather at this workshop.
They rehearse and play a traditional bamboo musical instrument called the angklung.
It started out with just a handful of children in the 60s, but now about 600 people are enrolled.
[Satria Yanuar, Workshop Operational Manager]: Bahasa Indonesia male
"This bamboo instrument workshop aims to conserve the art by bringing its essence into a performance art which is acceptable so that it will not die out."
Each instrument only produces one note.
[Satria Yanuar, Workshop Operational Manager]: Bahasa Indonesia male
"Practicing bamboo instruments can train people to be disciplined, therefore bamboo instruments are used as a device to strengthen team-building in an organization, for example. To play a bamboo instrument you have to be in a group, you can't play it alone."
Now, the daily two-hour "Bamboo Music Afternoon Show" at the workshop is a favorite stop for visitors, both foreigners and locals.
Visitors also get a lesson on how to play the bamboo instruments.
[John, Dutch Tourist]: English
"I am a little bit musician at home so I enjoy very much the Angklung."
Most of the performers have traveled to play in countries like Japan, Germany, Netherlands, South Korea and Switzerland.