Bamboo has been used to create a variety of instruments including flutes, mouth organs, saxophones, trumpets, drums, xylophones. Using it does not require any special skills, just the soul and your openness to share.

A popular saying is that every bamboo forest hides the instruments for a whole orchestra.

Check out the most common Indigenous Bamboo Musical Instruments found here in the Philippines

Bamboo Musical Instruments : Gabbang (Bamboo Xylophone)

The gabbang, also known as bamboo xylophone, is a musical instrument made of bamboo originated from Bajau and Suluk (Taosug) cultures in the southern Philippines.

Bamboo Musical Instruments : Patteteg (Bamboo Plates)

Patteteg is a Filipino percussion instrument, also known as bamboo leg xylophone that is made of bamboo,and an instrument of Cordillera. The music made by patteteg is used for worship and rituals, work like planting, sleep and courtship.

Bamboo Musical Instruments : Tongatong (Stomping Tubes)

A tongatong is a percussion instrument made of various lengths of bamboo, which is found in the Kalinga province of the Philippines. It is played by hitting it against the earth. Traditionally, the tongatong is used by the people of Kalinga to communicate with spirits, particularly as part of healing rituals.

Bamboo Musical Instruments : Tongali (Nose Flute)

The tongali is a nose flute used by the Kalinga in Northern Luzon. Sounds are produced by blowing through a hole with one nostril and covering a combination of finger holes. It is believed that the nose flute was used to help rice grow because the rice, being attracted to the soft sound of the flute, would grow to put its ear above the water to hear the sound better.

Bamboo Musical Instruments : Saggeypo (Panpipe)

The Saggeypo, also known as Diwas, is a native bamboo wind instrument from the Philippines that is a variation of the well-known pan flute or panpipes. It is made of bamboo, with one end closed with bamboo nodes.

Bamboo Musical Instruments : Bungkaka (Bamboo Buzzer)

A Bungkaka, also known as the bamboo buzzer is a percussion instrument made out of bamboo common in numerous indigenous tribes around the Philippines such as the Ifugao, Kalinga, and Ibaloi. It generates a buzzing sound from the slit between the two tongues when the instrument is struck against the lower palm of the hand of the player

Bamboo Musical Instruments : Kubing (Jaw Harp)

The kubing is a type of Philippine jaw harp from bamboo found among the Maguindanaon and other Muslim and non-Muslim tribes in the Philippines and Indonesia. It is traditionally considered an intimate instrument, usually used as communication between family or a loved one in close quarters. Both genders can use the instrument, the females more infrequently than males who use it for short distance courtship

Bamboo Musical Instruments : Kolitong/Sludoy (Bamboo Polychordal Tube Zither)

The kolitong is a bamboo polychordal tube zither from Bontok, Kalinga, Philippines with six strings that run parallel to its tube body. The strings are numbered from one to six, from lowest to highest pitch.

Bamboo Musical Instruments : Tambi/Takumbo (Tube Zither)

The Tambi or Takumbo is a parallel-stringed tube zither made from bamboo found in the Philippines. It is made from a heavy bamboo tube about 40 cm long, with both ends closed with a node. Two strands of strings, about 5 cm apart, are partially etched out from the body of the bamboo. The Subanon play the thambabok mainly for self-entertainment and relaxation.

Bamboo Musical Instruments : Paldong (Lip-Valley Flute)

The Paldong is a traditional lip-valley flute of the Kalinga tribes in the Philippines. The instrument is made from bamboo with its upper edge cut away obliquely from the backside and slightly from the front-side. It is used for serenades, courting women, for leisure and to pass the time.

Learn How to Make or Enjoy & try out these instruments during our Bamboo Music 101 : Bamboo Musical Instrument Making Workshop coming up soon.