How the garamut makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the garamut belongs to the struck idiophones: the body is struck directly – bells, gongs, xylophones and cymbals.
More broadly it is one of the idiophones, where the solid body of the instrument itself vibrates, without strings or a 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 garamut is a kind of slit drum made in Papua New Guinea. Carved from a single log, a garamut is beaten with sticks to produce sound from its central cavity. Garamuts have historically played an important cultural role in many Papua New Guinea communities, serving as a means of communication as well as a musical instrument. "Garamut" is a Tok Pisin word meaning "song" and "to silence". This name has become commonly understood throughout the country, although the instrument may have different names in other languages.
Garamuts may have come to New Guinea with the Austronesian peoples. Each takes multiple days to complete, and they are sometimes decorated with intricate and symbolic designs. The rhythms used can convey particular messages for many kilometres. Individuals and clans may have their own identifying patterns.
Other struck idiophones
More instruments from Papua New Guinea
Frequently asked questions
What does a garamut sound like?
As one of the struck idiophones, its sound comes from the way the body is struck directly.
What type of instrument is the garamut?
It is classified as struck idiophones (Hornbostel–Sachs 111.243).
Where does the garamut come from?
The garamut originates from Papua New Guinea.
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q16831511 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Garamut – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Daderot – CC0 1.0