FROM ANCIENT TO MODERNIZED
Airmadidi, MINUT.
Ancient intrument Kolintang is without complete chromatic notes, made from metal, play by people in the Southeast Asia region (similar to xylophone). Kolintang instrument has a wood base materials that can produce sound when it is struck quite long and can reach high and low notes. Wood that can be used like Banderan or Wanderan, Cempaka or other wood that rather mild but quite solid and the wood fibers are arranged in such a way to form parallel lines. However, the ancient instrument Kolintang only consists of a few pieces of wood which are place side by side on the top of player’s leg while sitting on the ground, with both leg straight ahead then they try to put it on the top of banana stems after they tried many ways of producing a good sound.
As of now, modern Kolintang with chromatic notes and also resonance box can produce a good quality of sound. The use of Kolintang closely associated with the traditional beliefs and for the ritual ceremonies in the connection with the worship to the Creator. Modern Wooden Kolintang originated from Minahasa ( North Sulawesi) with complete chromatic notes and the wood arrange according to the composition of universal musical tone with 3 ½ octave with 3 notes key ( Natural, 1 Mol, 1# ) produced by Mr. Alfred Sundah (conceptor) and Mr. Maxi Luntungan (the maker) in the early 60’s. Unlike before Kolintang only consisted of a melody by arrangement diatonic tones ( 2 ½ octave) and as accompanist with other intrument like, guitar, ukulele and string-bas so the way of Nelwan Katuuk orchestra performances take placed. The so-called Kolintang orchestra of Minahasa had been performed by the request of the first president of Indonesia Mr. Soekarno.
Wooden Kolintang with long resonance can make a good quality musical instrument. The formation of melody, Bas, Cello, Ukulele, Tenor, Alto and Guitar play together in “Kolintang” each one of them produce a unique wood sound. Now, wooden Kolintang is very well-known in Indonesia and also in many countries.
The harmony chords (chord-tone harmony) are the same as the chords on the guitar or piano. On modern instruments like chords C, D, E, and so on Major and Minor can be heard by light hit / knock on the blades. This musical instrument is a symbol of Minahasan’s pride as a respect to the culture that empowered tradition over generations to stimulate the creativity of arts, culture, education and entrepreneurship.
In Minahasa (North Sulawesi/Celebes) an expert has been engaged with Kolintang since sitting in elementary school until he/she grows older, it has forged a long experience not only in terms of playing this instrument but also in making this musical instrument. The creative ideas of the making modernized Kolintang that constantly produce a good quality one is Stave Ivan Tuwaidan’s wooden Kolintang workshop in Lembean northern Minahasa.
These are the complete set of modern instrument Kolintang (with traditional name of it) ;
1. Bas = Lowey
2. First Melody = Ina
3. Second Melody = Ina dua
4. Third Melody = Ina Taweng
5. Cello = Cella
6. First Tennor = Kadua
7. Second Tennor = Kadua dua
8. First Alto = Uned
9. Second Alto = Uned dua
10. Ukulele = Katedu
Musical instrument Kolintang also can be played in 4-player formation, 5-player, 7-player and 9-player. Instrument wooden Kolintang with modernize techniques of playing can be played in various musical style and gendre. Let’s play Kolintang.
