Listen to the valiha
Tip: press play to see the sound's live frequency spectrum in blue over the waveform.
How the valiha makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the valiha belongs to the tube zithers: strings run along the surface of a tube, such as a length of bamboo.
More broadly it is one of the chordophones (string instruments), where sound comes from vibrating strings, amplified by a resonating body.
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 valiha is a tube zither from Madagascar made from a species of local bamboo; it is considered the "national instrument" of Madagascar. The term is also used to describe a number of related zithers of differing shapes and materials.
The instrument has been held in high regard among the Malagasy particularly in the Merina rule over the island that having long fingernails ideal for plucking its strings were marks "distinguishing the aristocracy from the labourers". Aside from recreational music, the valiha is also used for ritual music to summon spirits.
Other tube zithers
Frequently asked questions
What does a valiha sound like?
Listen to 1 recording on this page. As one of the tube zithers, its sound comes from the way strings run along the surface of a tube, such as a length of bamboo.
What type of instrument is the valiha?
It is classified as tube zithers (Hornbostel–Sachs 312.11).
Sources & credits
- Old Lullaby - Iny Hono Izy Ravorona - Take Him-Her With You O Bird (Bamboo Valiha) by Kaluvau – CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Wikidata Q733370 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Valiha – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Mikael Bodner – CC BY-SA 4.0