Welcome to my Blog On Punjabi Musical Instruments.. I would like to share one of the most used Punjabi Musical Instruments used in Bhangra, Giddha and other punjabi Folks.
Dhol
people to the dancefloor whenever it is played.
It is the king of Punjabi instruments; it is the soul of Bhangra; and without it,
Bhangra is incomplete.
Bhangra performers have huge respect for the dhol and it is for the dhol that
the dance is performed.
The dhol is a barrel-shaped instrument, made from a shell of hollowed-out
mango or sheesham wood, with the treble on the right and the bass on the
left. Historically,both sides of the drum were made from goatskin, but today,
plastic is sometimes used for one of the sides.
Two drumsticks are used to beat the drum. The tili is a thin cane stick; the dagga
is a crooked wooden stick: their contrasting shapes and sizes suit the different properties of each side of the drum. It is the rhythm they create that is the most significant feature of dhol playing.
Many Punjabi homes in the UK own a dhol and it is very popular with children;
yet due to a lack of experienced dhol players and teachers in England, most
students learn only a couple of basic tunes. Nevertheless, even the inexperienced
players are often good enough to bring the whole street out to dance!
DHOL PLAYING ON BHANGRA
Each beat of the dohl in Bhangra dance music introduces a different dance step.
The beat is then followed by a tora, a means of shifting from one beat to another without a pause.
Dhad
The simple earthen pitcher serves as a musical instrument in a number of folk songs. The Garah player strikes its sides with rings worn on fingers of one hand and also plays on its open mouth with the other hand to produce a distinct rhythmic beat.
Damru
Algoza/Algoje/Jori
a jori/algoza, resembles a pair of wooden flutes which the musician plays by using
three fingers on each side. A very challenging instrument to play, the sound is
generated by breathing into it rapidly; the quick recapturing of breath on each
beat creates a bouncing, swing rhythm.
The pairing of the algoza with the dhol in a piece of music produces a great
sound that makes everyone want to dance!
The algoza is generally used as a folk instrument and Punjabi folk singers
use it to play traditional music such as Jugni, Jind Mahi, Mirza. However, it is
also a popular choice among UK musicians for making contemporary Bhangra music.
Chimta
It is a percussion instrument made of two long, flat pieces of metal (usually iron)
with pointed ends to which several rings are attached.
The rings are plucked in a downward motion to produce tinkling sounds
Tumbi
produce both high and low tones. The body of the instrument is made from
various types of wood over which a skin is stretched and strings are
attached. It is played with the continuous flick and retraction of the forefinger. Famous Punjabi singers of traditional songs, such as Mahiya, Challa, Jindua and Jugni, have used the tumbi.
'Mundeya tou bach ke rahi' (Beware of Boys) from Punjabi MC, is a fine
example of tumbi music, and was a huge hit in the UK charts and is still
used in most international programs.
The one-stringed tumbi is the most famous instrument in Bhangra and it is
one of the most popular instruments used in folk music.
Sarangi
Sarangi is a popular bowed instrument in Punjab. It is wooden instrument about two feet long, cut from a single log covered with parchment. A bridge is placed in
an ideal instrument for producing all types of Gamks and Meends.
his is a stringed instrument made of dried gourd (Ghia). A piece of skin is mounted on one side of the hollowed gourd while the other side is kept open. A gut string (Tand) is crossed through the centre of the skin and a small piece of wood is tied to the end of the string, which passes through the body of the gourd. To maintain a drum-like rhythm, the string is stretched or loosened while playing.
Bean Sapera
Snake Charmer, Also produces nice relationship in Punjabi music.
Khunda / Daang
Khunde have the curved top (left) whereas daangs are just straight sticks. We have both available, although our khunde come in only black and our daangs are only silver and red striped
These are must-have for any stellar Bhangra performance!
Ghakar Kato
Kato literally means squirrel in Punjabi, and it's easy to see why the instrument is called the same.
Dancers hold it in their left hand and pull on the string to make the mouth and tail move. A very fun and cute instrument that is sure to be a hit. Produces High and low clap tunes.
Ghalar
Similar to Kato or Dang used during Bhangra sometimes in Gidda.
Saap / Supp / Shikke
Saaps are hard to describe but immediately recognizable.
They are grasped by the handles and open and close to create a loud clapping noise.
Bhangra dancers clap the saaps (Making high clap sounds) while doing jumps, squats, and other movements to display power and synchronicity. Hard to master, but truly one of the more exciting segments in Bhangra.