Definition:
The musical instruments of Malays originate from a vast of diversity of cultures or countries and are not indigenous to Malaysia. Some of these instruments are found all over Malaysia while others are common only in specific states.
History of the Instruments:
Traditional musical instruments reached its peak during the Melaka Sultanate (1411-1511) when it was an essential part of the ritualistic and secular amusement of both court and folk life. Thenceforth, the diverse royal courts in Peninsular Malaysia maintained their own dance and music troupes.
However, despite the onslaught of this foreign influence and inroads by television and video entertainment, traditional musical instruments in Malaysia still survive and flourish in a wide variety of forms. It is performed during ceremonial occasions, and as an accompaniment to dance and drama for entertainment. Dance and drama themselves are of course closely related to music.
The basic element in traditional music is the drum (gendang), of which there are at least 14 types, four of which are beaten without the accompaniment of any other musical instrument. These are the rebana besar, rebana ubi, kompang and tar.
The nobat is a special royal orchestra consisting of usually four or five members, using the flute, trumpet, gong and drums; and only performed during state ceremonies. There are four such orchestras in the Peninsular at present, the oldest in Kedah, and the others in Terengganu, Perak and Johor. The number of musical instruments in the nobat varies from one group to another. However, there are five basic instruments which include the:
- Nafiri - the royal trumpet
- Serunai - the flute
- Gendang nobat besar - the main drum
- Gendang nobat kecil - the double-sided drum
- Gendang negara - the one-sided drum
Importance of the Traditional Malay Instruments:
1>To preserve the cultures of Malay that had been practices for hundred years by the folks.
2>To encourage the younger generation of Malaysian to know the origin of the traditional musical instruments and how it to appreciate it.
3>To enriched the Malays’ cultures in the eyes of the world and by making it more noticeable to other countries by it sounds and melody.
4>It is in the norms and values of Malaysian that traditional musical instruments is one of the main part that become the identity of Malaysia.
