Hawaiian Percussion Instruments
While the ukulele may be the most widely recognized Hawaiian instrument, percussion instruments and implements have largely dominated the musical history of the islands. Music in Hawaii is closely tied with the art of hula dancing, and many percussion instruments are played by the dancers or their instructors. Most Hawaiian percussion instruments originated in the ancient period and are associated with the traditional style of hula, while others have evolved with Hawaiian culture.
Pahu Drum
The pahu drum is a staple in traditional Hawaiian dance, providing a basic rhythmic accompaniment. The drum’s tall, narrow body is carved from wood, usually from a segment of a coconut tree’s trunk, and the head is made from dried sharkskin. The pahu is played with the bare hands and fingers.
Ipu
The ipu is a simple instrument crafted from a dried, hollow gourd and played by alternately striking with the fingers, wrist and palm. In hula, the dancer holds the ipu in one hand and hits it with the other, but it is more common for an instructor to accompany a dance with the larger ipu heke, a double-headed ipu made from two gourds glued together. Both types, but especially the ipu heke, can also be played by tapping the instrument on a mat or pad on the ground.
Pu'ili
The pu'ili is a bamboo hula implement, used in pairs. Each pu'ili is roughly 2 feet long, with most of the length cut into narrow slats. Each dancer holds one pu'ili in each hand, striking them against each other or parts of the body to create a rattling sound.
'Uli'uli
The 'uli'uli is a feather rattle made from a small, round gourd from the la'amia tree, which is dried and filled with seeds or pebbles. Each gourd has a handle and a decorative, circular cap covered with feathers-usually yellow in the center, with a red outer ring. The 'uli'uli is used primarily as hula implements, in both modern and traditional dance styles.
'Ili'ili
The 'Ili'ili are small, flat stones used in hula, clicked together in the hand similarly to castanets. Stones suitable for use as 'ili'ili vary in size and shape, depending on the special needs of the dancer and her hands, but should be smooth, black and made of porous volcanic rock in order to properly resonate.
Tags: made from, percussion instruments, dancer holds, from dried, Hawaiian Percussion