How the bangu makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the bangu belongs to the struck drums: a stretched membrane (drumhead) is struck with hands or beaters.
More broadly it is one of the membranophones (drums), where sound comes from a vibrating stretched membrane.
Players shape its sound through technique and materials; the resonating body filters the raw vibration, boosting some harmonics and damping others.
From Wikipedia
The bangu (Chinese: 板鼓; pinyin: bǎngǔ), often simply gu (Chinese: 鼓; pinyin: gǔ), is a Chinese frame drum that, when struck by one or two small bamboo sticks, creates a sharp dry sound essential to the aesthetics of Chinese opera. Striking the drum in different places produces different sounds. It is also used in many Chinese chamber music ensembles. The percussion section is very important in Chinese Opera, with battle or 'martial' scenes, which are called wu-chang. The bangu player is the director or conductor of the orchestra, working with the other members of the percussion section to create the right mood for the audience and actors on stage.
Other struck drums
More instruments from People's Republic of China
Frequently asked questions
What does a bangu sound like?
As one of the struck drums, its sound comes from the way a stretched membrane (drumhead) is struck with hands or beaters.
What type of instrument is the bangu?
It is classified as struck drums (Hornbostel–Sachs 211.251.1).
Where does the bangu come from?
The bangu originates from People's Republic of China.
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q4077510 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Bangu (drum) – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Jonno Morris – CC BY-SA 3.0