MUSIC 7: FIRST QUARTER: Lesson 4: Instrumental Music

Instrumental Music- is a musical composition or recording without lyrics, or singing, although it might include some
inarticulate vocals, such as shouted back up vocals in a big band setting.
Instrumental Music includes:
1. Rondalla- is an ensemble of stringed instruments played with the plectrum or pick and generally known as
plectrum instruments.

The rondalla was brought to the Philippines by the Spaniards. In the early Philippines, certain styles were
adopted by the natives, especially guitar and bandurria.

The use of the term comparza was common, however, during the American period in the Philippines, the term
rondalla became more used.

At present , rondala, in the Philippines, refers to any group of stringed instruments that are played using the
plectrum or pick.
The Filipino instruments are made from indigenous Philippi ne wood and the plectrum, or picks are made from
tortoise-shell.

Types of instruments played in Rondalla:

a. Guitar- it is a fretted musical instrument that usually has six stings. It is typically played with both hands
by strumming or plucking the string s with either a guitar pick or the finger/fingernails of one hand, while
simultaneously fretting with the fingers of the other hand. The sound of the vibrating strings is projected
either acoustically, by means of the hollow chamber f the guitar or through an electrical amplifier and a
speaker.

b. Bandurria- 14 stringed pear-shaped lute with a round sound hole and played with a plectrum, it plays the
melody in the rondalla ensemble.

c. Laud – 14 stringed pear-shaped lute with f-shaped sound holes and played with a plectrum, it plays the alto
part or counter melody in the rondalla ensemble. It is bigger than the Bandurria.

d. Octavina- 14 stringed lute which is shaped like a small guitar and played with plectrum, it plays a counter
melody or harmony fill-in in the rondalla ensemble.

e. Bajo de Uñas- a bass guitar which looks like a big guitar and is played by a plectrum. It plays the bass
part and serves as a rhythmic support.

f. Double Bass- The double bass or simply the bass, is the largest and lowest pitched bowed string instrument
in the modern symphony orchestra. It is a transposing instrument and is typically notated one octave higher
than tuned to avoid excessive ledger lines below the staff.

Functions of Rondalla:
a. Music for festivities and recreation
b. Work ( planting and farming)
c. Courtship
 d. Social Commentary and Patriotism

b. Brass Band- It is an ensemble of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments in the Philippines usually play in
fiestas, religious and civic celebrations.
Repertoire may include folk songs, popular music, dance music. Bands was so remarkable that every town used to have
two or more bands. They sometimes participate and even compete in many town band competitions.

2. Woodwinds Instruments:
1. Piccolo 3. Clarinet
2. Alto Saxophone 4. Tenor Saxophone 5. Flute

c. Brasswind Instruments:
1. Trombone 3.Trumpet
2. Euphonium 4. Sousaphone 5. French Horn
c. Percussion Instruments:
1. Cymbals 2. Snare drum 3. Bass drum
What have you learned today?
A. Fill in the table with examples of musical instruments.

Rondalla Brasswind Woodwind Percussion

B. Cross out the correct answer.

Assignment:
Make a compilation of musical instruments of instrumental music.

Performance Task:
Make your own DIY musical instrument.