The origin of fife or "whistle flute" probably came from the name of the Serunai, an instrument which allegedly came from the Kashmir Valley in the plains of Northern India. Musical instrument Serunai allegedly also an outgrowth of pungi instrument used in music of the traditional snake charmers of India.
Once widely known in West Sumatra, flute became popular and was known as a traditional wind instrument in Minang. This instrument is equally well known in West Sumatra, especially in the area of land as in Agam, Tanah Datar and Limo Koto, and also in the coastal areas along the coast of West Sumatra, the Indian Ocean. This instrument has long been popularized throughout Indonesia by immigrants from Minang and has also been known as a traditional musical instruments in Malaysia with the same name.
Puput Serunai is usually played in events that crowded customs, such as marriage ceremony, the prince (batagak pangulu Minang language) and so on. This instrument is also commonly played freely, individually, at the time of harvesting rice or while working in the fields. Flute music to accompany the show is also popular martial arts Minang. In an appearance, the flute can be played solo, and can be combined with other traditional musical instruments, such as talempong, gendang and so on.
Materials to make a traditional puput Serunai Minang consists of rice straw, wood or bamboo, buffalo horn or coconut leaves.
Section stylist sound capo Serunai made of wood or of bamboo gutters whinny the size of a thumb. Capo is a kind of whinny shrubs that have a layer of hard wood but has a part in a soft, making it easy for the holed. Wood is 20 cm long were given 4 holes disputing a distance of 2.5 cm, a height difference function gives low tone. Tone prevalent at Minang traditional musical instruments including Serunai is pentatonic melodies puput do-re-mi-fa-sol.
"Puput" is the part that is blown in the musical instrument Serunai, usually made of wood, bamboo gutters, or old rice stalks. This section is connected by a connector section that serves as the base of the whistle. Approximately 5 cm in length and made of hard wood. Joiner is perforated for air channel inflatable, which is continuous with the body axis and the axis of the funnel. At the rear, the connector is also funnel-shaped, with a diameter of 2 cm.
Section "funnel" is the end of the Serunai that was formed to grow like the tip end of a musical instrument trumpet. The function of this section is to amplify or increase the volume. This section is usually made of wood, especially wood cork, from buffalo horn-shaped taper has naturally expanded, or of palm leaf that is wrapped. Length about 10 to 12 cm, with a diameter of 6 cm in the section expands.
In making a Serunai there are specifications varied in each region. There is even a kind of Serunai tone in which the arrangement is done by closing and opening the surface of the funnel.
In a traditional orchestra Minang, Serunai is usually played with other instruments such as talempong, gendang and gongs that produce a blend of traditional sounds and rhythms typical Minang.
Note:
Picture cover: INDONESIA (1967) Serunai*. Map of Sumatra*. Preliminary artwork for Indonesia musical instruments series. Watercolor mounted on posterboard with marginal notations. Design measures 11 x 14 cm. Scott No 714, Yvert No 507.
