The gum leaf is used as a musical instrument by Aboriginal Australians. Players hold a eucalyptus leaf against their lips and blow across it causing the leaf to vibrate like a “blown-open” valve. Capable performers can produce complex melodies.
Malay Rebab
The malay rebab is an upright bowed fiddle that spread through Islam along the Silk Road trade routes from North Africa through Western and Central Asia to Malaysia and Indonesia where it is played in Gamelan ensembles. The malay rebab has two strings and is similar to the erhu of China and sor duang of Thailand. In Gamelan ensembles its …
Violin Middle East
The Iranian violin, played throughout the Middle East, is the same construction as the Western violin. In the Middle East, the violin is tuned G-D-G-D, while the Western violin is tuned G-D-A-E. The violin is conventionaly played by holding the body under the chin, whereas in the Middle Eastern context the violin is held in the upright position (gamba style).
