How the Kalatalo makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the Kalatalo 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.
Press play above and watch the spectrum: the evenly spaced peaks are harmonics, and their relative strength is what gives the instrument its character.
From Wikipedia
The kalatalo (Ukrainian: калатало) (also known as kalatailo, kalatalka, torokhkalo, stukalo, stukalka, torokhkavka, klepalo, bovkalo) is a Ukrainian folk instrument used in folk ensembles whenever a drum or tambourine is not available. It was also used by night guards to scare away intruders. In Galicia, the kalatalo is used instead of bells during Good Friday.
The instrument is made from a piece of wood with a handle. A second piece of wood shorter than the first is joined to the original piece by metal rings near from the handle. A hole is drilled through both pieces at one end and a wooden bolt is placed through the hole so that the additional piece can move a small distance. When the instrument is spun around it produces a very loud sound amplified by the stillness of the night.
Other struck idiophones
Frequently asked questions
What does the Kalatalo 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 Kalatalo?
It is classified as struck idiophones (Hornbostel–Sachs 111.1).
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q18178803 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Kalatalo – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Лапоть – CC0 1.0