The yueqin, or moon lute, is a traditional Chinese string instrument distinguished by its round, hollow soundboard, short fretted neck, and typically four strings. Known…
Yueqin: The Ancient Chinese Moon Lute
Category: Articles
Gypsy Songs and Legends
Folk music has always followed people on the move, and this was particularly the case with the Scots Irish, many of whom left the British…
Australia’s The Mandé Spirit Celebrate Malian musician Toumani Diabate
(headline image: The Mandé Spirit — Photo by Kurt Eckardt) On December 6th, an ensemble of musicians from the West African diaspora gathered in an…
Guqin, the Ancient Zither of China
(headline image: Guqin) The guqin is a seven-stringed plucked zither. It is a long, narrow instrument formed by two planks of wood glued together. As…
Music, Art, Nature – Symphony of Seasons Festival Wraps Up Bangalore Edition
(headline image: Echoes of Earth festival 2024, Greater One-Horned Stage) Bands from Australia, Austria, Canada, Egypt, France, India, Netherlands, UK, and US performed recently at…
The Bagpipe, a Popular Solo and Marching Band Instrument
The bagpipe is a reed instrument, typically featuring either a single or double reed, with an air reservoir housed in a bag. A standard set…
Serendipity Arts Festival showcases Indian music heritage and performances
(headline image: Bombay Lights) The aptly-named Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF) is a multidisciplinary celebration of creativity held every December in Goa. The compelling lineup spans…
Victorian Vice: Unmasking the Raucous Roots of Music Hall Culture
Writer and musician John Phillpott explores the drinking dens of Victorian England and uncovers the musical underbelly of that so-called prudish age… A POPULAR show…
The Rubab: An Asian Lute Added to UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage List
(headline image: A female Rubab master is teaching a child student how to keep the fret and pluck to play the notes – Photo by…
The Kora: West Africa’s Cherished 21-Stringed Harp-Lute
(headline image: Toumani and Sidiki Diabate – Photo by Youri Lenquette) The kora, a 21-stringed instrument, holds a significant place in West African musical traditions,…