MUSIC LEARNING MODULES 11-12: Boat Lutes of Mindanao

I TARGET GRADE LEVEL: Grade 7

II MODULES 11-12: Boat Lutes of Mindanao

III TIME ALLOTMENT: 2 Hours

IV OVERVIEW OF THE MODULE

The module is about selected boat lutes from Mindanao. The analysis of the music is done using the socio-cultural approach as well as an emphasis on playing techniques. An application of the lesson involves playing a short boat lute improvisation on the boat lute or improvised instruments such as a two-string guitar with appropriate expression, tone and style that is reflective of the function of the music.

V PERFORMANCE STANDARD

Analyzes musical elements and processes of Philippine music. Correlates Philippine music to Philippine culture. Performs examples of Philippine music, alone and with others, in appropriate tone,

pitch, rhythm, expression and style.

VI COMPETENCIES/OBJECTIVES Analyzes an example of Philippine folk music from Mindanao and describe how the

musical elements are used. Explains the distinguishing characteristics of representative Philippine folk music from

Mindanao in relation to history and culture of the area. Analyzes the relationship of functions of Philippine music from Mindanao to the lives of

the people. Improvises simple rhythmic accompaniments to selected Philippine folk music from

Mindanao. Evaluates music and music performances applying knowledge of musical elements and

style.

VII CONTENT/TOPIC : Boat Lutes of Mindanao Boat Lutes of Mindanao: Kudlung or Kudyapiq

Cultural Context (History and Traditions): Indian Influences, Symbolism (Animals, Boat)

Social Functions: Music for Personal Expression of Nature and Emotions, Courting

Performance Styles / Techniques: Drone and Melody, Scales

VIII RESOURCES

Readings and Resources:

Brandeis, Hans. A Preliminary Study of the Symbolic Meanings of Philippine Boat Lutes (Abstract only). http://user.cs.tu-berlin.de/~brandeis/ICTM-Abstracts-e.html#symbolism

Maceda, Jose (1998). Gongs and Bamboo. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press.

Plucked Instruments of the Philippines:http://www.atlasofpluckedinstruments.com/se_asia.htm

Table of Instruments in the Philippines:http://www.kipas.nl/Instruments/Classification.htm

Recordings / Videos:

Plucked Instruments of the Philippines (See links to performances on the left side menu):http://www.atlasofpluckedinstruments.com/se_asia.htm

GAMABA Awardee Samaoan Sulayman playing kutyapi http://vimeo.com/16808604 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPxnMEh9-WY&feature=related

Diwa De Leon: Cosmo Canyon and Hegelong Project Explainedhttp://www.diwadeleon.com/hegalong.htm

IX ACTIVITIES

WHAT DO YOU HEAR? Listen to the short audio clip called “Cosmo Canyon” by Diwa De Leon. What do you think is the instrument he was playing?

FILM VIEWING: Watch the video clip this time of Cosmo Canyon and Hegalong Explained by Diwa De Leon. What are your reactions and views after viewing the short video?

Boat lutes are an important part of the music history of the Philippines. The major names of the boat lutes are kudlung and kudyapiq. Some trace the origin of the name from the Indian kacchapi and Sanskrit kacca which means turtle. The scales used by the instrument varies with a scale with whole steps used for music inspired by nature (D,E, F#, A, B, C#, E, F#, G#, B, C#, E) and music with half steps inspired by human emotions (D, E, F, A, B, C, E, F#, G#, B, C#, E) (Maceda 1998). Below is a picture of the Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan Samoan Sulayman playing the boat lute.

http://vimeo.com/16808604

GUIDED VIEWING:

View examples of Samaoan Sulayman play the hegelong. What can you say about the rendition? Can you identify the technique required to produce the drone, melody and the percussive effect?

READING: Using the websites given in the resources module, research on boat lutes. Read the short abstract by Brandeis on the Symbolic Meanings of the Philippine Boat Lute. Fill up the important information regarding the concept map below.

Socio-historical Context

Musical Forms

Musical Context

Performance Techniques

Boat Lutes of Mindanao

APPLICATION: Using a two-string guitar or an available boat lute, try improvising using drone and melody. Try to produce percussive effects with your thumb while doing the drone and melody if you can. If your improvisation is about nature, use the scale without half steps (D,E, F#, A, B, C#, E, F#, G#, B, C#, E)while if your improvisation is about emotions, use the scale with half steps (D, E, F, A, B, C, E, F#, G#, B, C#, E). Use the lyre or piano for tuning your boat lute/two-stringed guitar.

X ASSESSMENT

Rubrics for Performance

Basic –Unfocused tone, erratic rhythm, unstable pitch, inconsistent phrasing, dynamics and shows insensitivity to style and context

Developing: Focused tone but inconsistent in extreme range, some repeated errors in rhythm and pitch, consistent phrasing, discernible dynamics, some nuances in style as suggested by the score/teacher.

Approaching Proficiency: Focused and clear tone in normal range, accurate rhythm and secure pitch with isolated errors, accurate and consistent phrasing, accurate dynamics, with some nuances in style as suggested by the score/teacher.

Proficient: Focused, clear tone all throughout, accurate rhythm and secure pitch, consistent and sensitive phrasing and obvious dynamics, with creative nuances to style in response to music score.

XI SYNTHESIS

The boat lutes of Mindanao are a reflection of the natural and spiritual life of the Lumad and Muslim Filipinos as well as the influence of Indian culture in the development of boat lutes. Its many types show the creative expressions that Filipinos use in order to express the emotions, events and word view.

MUSIC LEARNING MODULES 11-12: Boat Lutes of Mindanao

I TARGET GRADE LEVEL: Grade 7

II MODULES 11-12: Boat Lutes of Mindanao

III TIME ALLOTMENT: 2 Hours

IV OVERVIEW OF THE MODULE

The module is about selected boat lutes from Mindanao. The analysis of the music is done using the socio-cultural approach as well as an emphasis on playing techniques. An application of the lesson involves playing a short boat lute improvisation on the boat lute or improvised instruments such as a two-string guitar with appropriate expression, tone and style that is reflective of the function of the music.

V PERFORMANCE STANDARD

Analyzes musical elements and processes of Philippine music. Correlates Philippine music to Philippine culture. Performs examples of Philippine music, alone and with others, in appropriate tone,

pitch, rhythm, expression and style.

VI COMPETENCIES/OBJECTIVES Analyzes an example of Philippine folk music from Mindanao and describe how the

musical elements are used. Explains the distinguishing characteristics of representative Philippine folk music from

Mindanao in relation to history and culture of the area. Analyzes the relationship of functions of Philippine music from Mindanao to the lives of

the people. Improvises simple rhythmic accompaniments to selected Philippine folk music from

Mindanao. Evaluates music and music performances applying knowledge of musical elements and

style.

VII CONTENT/TOPIC : Boat Lutes of Mindanao Boat Lutes of Mindanao: Kudlung or Kudyapiq

Cultural Context (History and Traditions): Indian Influences, Symbolism (Animals, Boat)

Social Functions: Music for Personal Expression of Nature and Emotions, Courtship

Performance Styles / Techniques: Drone and Melody, Scales

a. CONCEPT MAP

b. ACTIVITIES & STEPS/ PROCEDURE

1. Listen to the clip by Diwa De Leon. Ask the students to guess what kind of instrument was played.

2. Watch the video on the Hegelong Project by Diwa De Leon. Elicit comments from the students.

3. Explain the nature of the boat lute as written in the student guide.

4. Watch video examples of Samaon Sulayman. Analyze the music in terms of performance technique.

5. Group the students into ten per group. Have them research using the resources segment and the abstract on the boat lutes by Brandeis: The Symbolic Meanings of the Philippine Boat Lute. As a group, complete the concept map using information and insights understood from the readings. Discuss their answers.

6. Using available boat lutes or two-stringed guitar, improvise music based on an idea from nature or a human emotion. Remind the students to use the proper scale according to the idea behind their improvisation. A lyre or tuned piano may be used for tuning reference.

7. Remind the students of the rubrics for performance. Have the students perform their improvisations.

ExpressionCourtship

Improvisation

Scales composed of whole and half steps

Indian influenceAnimal and Boat Symbolism

Socio-historical Context

Musical Forms

Musical Context

Performance Techniques

Boat Lutes of Mindanao

VIII SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT –

Rubrics for Performance

Basic –Unfocused tone, erratic rhythm, unstable pitch, inconsistent phrasing, dynamics and shows insensitivity to style and context

Developing: Focused tone but inconsistent in extreme range, some repeated errors in rhythm and pitch, consistent phrasing, discernible dynamics, some nuances in style as suggested by the score/teacher.

Approaching Proficiency: Focused and clear tone in normal range, accurate rhythm and secure pitch with isolated errors, accurate and consistent phrasing, accurate dynamics, with some nuances in style as suggested by the score/teacher.

Proficient: Focused, clear tone all throughout, accurate rhythm and secure pitch, consistent and sensitive phrasing and obvious dynamics, with creative nuances to style in response to music score.

IX RESOURCES: READING & LISTENING MATERIALS – REFERENCES/LINKS IN WEBSITE

Readings and Resources:

Brandeis, Hans. A Preliminary Study of the Symbolic Meanings of Philippine Boat Lutes (Abstract only). http://user.cs.tu-berlin.de/~brandeis/ICTM-Abstracts-e.html#symbolism

Maceda, Jose (1998). Gongs and Bamboo. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press.

Plucked Instruments of the Philippines:http://www.atlasofpluckedinstruments.com/se_asia.htm

Table of Instruments in the Philippines:http://www.kipas.nl/Instruments/Classification.htm

Recordings / Videos:

Plucked Instruments of the Philippines (See links to performances on the left side menu):http://www.atlasofpluckedinstruments.com/se_asia.htm

GAMABA Awardee Samaoan Sulayman playing kutyapi http://vimeo.com/16808604 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPxnMEh9-WY&feature=related

Diwa De Leon: Cosmo Canyon and Hegelong Project Explainedhttp://www.diwadeleon.com/hegalong.htm

X GLOSSARY OF MUSIC TERMS & SYMBOLSKudlung, Kusyapiq – Boat Lute