How the madal makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the madal 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.
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 madal (Nepali: मादल) or maadal is a Nepalese folk musical instrument. The madal is used mainly for rhythm-keeping in Nepalese folk music. It is very popular and widely used as a hand drum in Nepal. The madal has a cylindrical body with a slight bulge at its center and heads at both ends, one head larger than the other. It is usually played horizontally in a seated position, with both heads played simultaneously.
The madal is the national instrument of Nepal and is the backbone of most Nepali folk music. The well-known Nepali musician Ranjit Gazmer introduced this instrument to Bollywood music when he started working with Rahul Dev Burman, and has used it in numerous Bollywood songs such as Hum Dono Do Premi and Kanchi Re Kanchi Re. A madal drum is also used by certain Adivasi groups.
Other struck drums
More instruments from Nepal
Frequently asked questions
What does a madal 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 madal?
It is classified as struck drums (Hornbostel–Sachs 211.232).
Where does the madal come from?
The madal originates from Nepal.
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q6726202 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Madal – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Krish Dulal – CC BY-SA 3.0