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Kubing: The Bamboo Jaw Harp of Bicol

The kubing is a type of bamboo jaw harp that is a traditional musical instrument from the Bicol Region of the Philippines. It is played by placing the instrument in the mouth and plucking the end to produce different notes and sounds depending on the rhythm. The kubing is known by various names in different parts of the country and was used historically by lovers in the Philippines to communicate through music. It remains an important cultural instrument that is played to connect families and in courtship traditions.

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Chelsea Espiritu
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2K views1 page

Kubing: The Bamboo Jaw Harp of Bicol

The kubing is a type of bamboo jaw harp that is a traditional musical instrument from the Bicol Region of the Philippines. It is played by placing the instrument in the mouth and plucking the end to produce different notes and sounds depending on the rhythm. The kubing is known by various names in different parts of the country and was used historically by lovers in the Philippines to communicate through music. It remains an important cultural instrument that is played to connect families and in courtship traditions.

Uploaded by

Chelsea Espiritu
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • The Kubing - The Bamboo Jaw Harp

Region 5 : A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT ON BICOL REGION

1.) The Kubing


 The bamboo jaw harp
 One of the few well known musical instruments from the Philippines other than the kulintang and gangsa, the
kubing is a type of jaw harp made from a carved bamboo reed that is played on the lips. This instrument is
actually found throughout the Philippines and known by many names: kubing for the Meranao and other
groups in Southern Mindanao, barmbaw for the Tagalogs, kuláing among the Kapampangans, kinaban with
the Hanunoo Mangyans, aroding in Palawan, and koding among the Ibaloi and Kalinga. According to
William Henry Scott in his book Barangay: 16th Century Philippine Culture and Society  the Bisayans also
had this instrument which were known to them as subbing.

“Subing was a Jew’s harp–a twanging reed plucked between the lips or teeth with theopen
mouth as a variable resonating chamber, and since its sound could be shaped in to a kind of
code words understood only by the player and his sweetheart, it was considered the courting
instrument part excellence.” –William Henry Scott,
B a r a n g a y : 16th  Century  Philippine Culture and  Society 
The instrument is also known in other parts of Southeast Asia with its own local names and designs
It is generally used as a form of communication between family and loved ones especially in courtship. The
player puts the kubing toward their mouth in between their lips and plucks the end of the instrument creating
various sound and notes depending on the rhythm and tempo of the fingers plucking the kubing.

Region 5 : A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT ON BICOL REGION 1.) The Kubing  The bamboo jaw harp  One of the few well known musical instr

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