# Suling > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Suling > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Suling.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suling > Source revision: 1345473762 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Southeast Asian bamboo ring flute For the village in Iran, see [Suling, Iran](/source/Suling%2C_Iran). For the medieval English land unit, see [hide (unit)](/source/Hide_(unit)). Suling ᮞᮥᮜᮤᮀ Suling with the Kacapi Woodwind instrument Inventor Sundanese people Developed Indonesia A [Native Indonesian](/source/Native_Indonesian) boy, playing a [Sundanese](/source/Sundanese_people) suling Seruling Gambuh Bali The **suling** ([Sundanese](/source/Sundanese_script): ᮞᮥᮜᮤᮀ) is a musical instrument of the [Sundanese people](/source/Sundanese_people) in [Indonesia](/source/Indonesia). It is used in the [Degung](/source/Gamelan_degung) ensemble. [Bamboo](/source/Bamboo) ring [flute](/source/Flute) can also be found in [Southeast Asia](/source/Southeast_Asia), especially in [Brunei](/source/Brunei),[1] [Indonesia](/source/Indonesia),[2] [Malaysia](/source/Malaysia),[2] the [Philippines](/source/Philippines) and [Singapore](/source/Singapore).[3] ## Construction Sulings are made mainly of *tamiang* [bamboo](/source/Bamboo) (*Schizostachyum blumei*, Nees), a long, thin-walled bamboo tube. The mouthpiece of the suling is circled with a thin band made of [rattan](/source/Rattan) near a small hole. ## Playing method To play the suling, performers blow into a gap between the rattan band and the bamboo tube at one end of the instrument. There are two factors that affect a fine suling's tone: 1. Fingering position. 1. Speed of the airflow blown by the mouth. This factor also should be supported with the position of the mouth around the blowing hole. The fingering position changes the wavelength of sound resonance inside the suling's body. Depending on the distance of nearest hole to the suling's head, different [notes](/source/Musical_note) can be produced. The airflow speed also can modify the tone's frequency. A note with twice frequency can be produced mostly by blowing the air into suling's head's hole with twice speed. In the [music of Bali](/source/Music_of_Bali), the suling is an essential instrument and it appears to be similar to other forms of Javanese suling. The way it is played, however, sets it apart from other forms of Indonesian suling. Namely, it is necessary for the performers to use the technique [circular breathing](/source/Circular_breathing) in order to create a highly strung sense of constancy that continues even at moments of dramatic climax by the percussive gamelan instruments. Suling players (bottom row) depicted on the 8th-century reliefs of [Borobudur](/source/Borobudur) temple in [Central Java](/source/Central_Java), [Indonesia](/source/Indonesia) ### Special effects - **Slur** is dynamically changing note from one tone position to another position without stopping the airflow. For example, changing from 5 to 4, 4 to 5, 2 to 1 etc. - **Puruluk** ([Sundanese](/source/Sundanese_language) term) is an effect produced by a-repeatedly-fast opening-and-closing of suling's hole by one or more fingers. The produced sound is similar to voice of a pigeon. The easiest puruluk can be produced by opening and closing mid-finger as shown by the following picture: A diagram showing the technique used to play a suling Suling, transverse bamboo flute, [Papua, New Guinea](/source/Papua%2C_New_Guinea). The word *suling* describes mostly lengthways flutes but also some transverse flutes made of bamboo. Sundanese suling performer, member of the [Gamelan](/source/Gamelan) group *[SambaSunda](/source/SambaSunda)* - In Sundanese technique, there are other known effects such as *wiwiw*, *keleter*, *lelol*, *gebos*, *petit*, *jengkat*, and *betrik*. ## Types ### Sundanese Kacapi and suling In the Sundanese region, a suling is used as - one of the main instruments in [kacapi suling](/source/Kacapi_suling) - accompanying instrument in [Gamelan Degung](/source/Gamelan_Degung), [Tembang Sunda](/source/Tembang_Sunda) #### Tuning Sulings can have either 4 holes or 6 holes. The 4-holed sulings are made for single scale usage. The 6-holed Sundanese suling can play at least three different scales. Some custom sulings have 7, 8, and 9 holes as additional holes for playing extended scales such as Mandalungan, the transposed version of Degung. - **[Pelog/Degung](/source/Pelog)**: da mi na ti la da [1 2 3 4 5 1], nearly corresponds to do si sol fa mi do [1' 7 5 4 3 1] in the Western diatonic scale. - **[Madenda](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Madenda&action=edit&redlink=1)/Sorog**: da mi na ti la da [1 2 3 4 5 1], nearly similar to fa mi do si la fa [4’ 3’ 1’ 7 6 4] in the Western diatonic scale. Madenda conceptually played by changing the 3rd note of Degung [1' 7 5 4 3 1] in diatonic scale to [1' 7 6 4 3 1], and move the Sundanese 1/da to the Western 4/fa position. - **[Saléndro](/source/Slendro)**: da mi na ti la da [1 2 3 4 5 1], nearly similar to re do la sol fa re [2’ 1’ 6 5 4 2] in the Western diatonic scale. Saléndro tone are almost five-equally divided tones, called as Saléndro Padantara (equal interval). Unequal division of Saléndro notes called as Saléndro Bédantara (unequal interval). - **[Mandalungan](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mandalungan&action=edit&redlink=1)**: a rarely used scale, similar to Degung scale, but it is actually a transposed Degung via changing the 4th tone of Madenda [4' 3' 1' 7 6 4] in Western diatonic scale to [4' 3' 1' ♭7 6 4]. Basically sounds the same as Degung, just with a different transposition. This scale needs an extra hole (usually in the back of suling) to play. - **[Wisaya](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wisaya&action=edit&redlink=1)**: this scale is the same as Madenda/Sorog, but on different transposition. This scale is only playable with additional hole, usually on the back and top most position. Its notation [1 2 3 4 5 1] corresponds to western [1' 7 5 ♯4 3 1]. Both Mandalungan and Wisaya can be played on a single suling with at least eight holes, which two holes are placed in the back, closed with thumbs. While playing with [kacapi](/source/Kacapi_suling), the order of pieces played are usually played in this sequence (the displayed notes are in Western [scale degree](/source/Degree_(music))): Salendro [2’ 1’ 6 5 4 2], Wisaya [1' 7 5 ♯4 3 1], Degung [1' 7 5 4 3 1], Madenda [4’ 3’ 1’ 7 6 4], and then Mandalungan [4' 3' 1' ♭7 6 4]. The order makes minimal retuning the number of the kacapi strings. Saléndro is a distinct scale in this case, with the most different notes set compared the rest of the scales. From Wisaya to Mandalungan, we can notice there's only one change of note from each previous scale to the next scale: Wisaya to Degung [♯4] to [4], Degung to Madenda [5] to [6], and Madenda to Mandalungan [7] to [♭7]. Regular six holes suling can only access Saléndro, Degung, and Madenda. The following picture shows the fingering for a six-holed **Sundanese suling**. And below is the example of 'more realistic' view of finger positioning for the **pelog degung** scale. #### Famous Sundanese suling players - Endang Sukandar,[4][5] 1996 2nd Winner of International Festival of Wind Instruments in Seoul, South Korea - Burhan Sukarma - Uking Sukri - Bang Saat (Additional player of Dewa Budjana, He came from kalimantan) He also called as "saat" The Suling can be in many sizes. Sundanese traditional suling are sold in based on tunings which usually determined from each size label such as 54, 56, 60, etc. Suling 56 means that the length of the suling corresponds to roughly 56 cm, and usually tuned to 1/da=G, which resulting Degung scale have this collection of notes: G F♯ D C B. ## Suling outside Indonesia In [Brunei](/source/Brunei), the suling today is played during a cultural festival and other events together with other Bruneian traditional instruments especially the *[Gulintangan](/source/Kulintang)*.[6] While in East Malaysia, especially in [Sabah](/source/Sabah) with a wide variety of [aerophone](/source/Aerophone),[7] the instrument is played by all the interior ethnic groups in the state of [Kadazan-Dusun](/source/Kadazan-Dusun), [Murut](/source/Murut_people), [Rungus](/source/Rungus) and [Lun Bawang/Lundayeh](/source/Lun_Bawang).[8] In [Sarawak](/source/Sarawak), the suling is mostly played by men in a [Dayak people](/source/Dayak_people) [longhouse](/source/Longhouse).[9] It is also called as suling by the [Tausug](/source/Taus%C5%ABg_people), [Yakan](/source/Yakan_people), [B'laan](/source/B'laan), and [Tiruray](/source/Tiruray_people). Other names for the suling include the lantey ([Ata](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ata_people&action=edit&redlink=1)), kinsi ([Bukidnon](/source/Bukidnon)), dagoyong ([Higanon](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Higanon&action=edit&redlink=1))[10] and a babarak ([Palawan](/source/Palawan))[11] The Maguindanaon suling is the smallest bamboo [flute](/source/Flute) of the [Maguindanaon](/source/Maguindanao_people) and the only one classified as a ring-flute (the other two bamboo flutes of the Maguindanaon, the [tumpong](/source/Tumpong) and the [palendag](/source/Palendag) are both [lip-valley flutes](/source/Lip-valley_flute)). Air is passed through the suling via a blowing hole found at the bottom of the instrument and pitch is controlled via five finger holes on the top and one finger hole located on the bottom. Traditionally only the [palendag](/source/Palendag) was commonly played but because of the difficult nature of playing the [palendag](/source/Palendag), both the [tumpong](/source/Tumpong) and the suling have come to replace the [palendag](/source/Palendag) as the Maguindanaon's most common aerophones.[12] ## See also - [Music portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Music) - [Indonesia portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Indonesia) - [Malaysia portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Malaysia) - [Singapore portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Singapore) - [Philippines portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Philippines) - [Bamboo musical instruments](/source/Bamboo_musical_instruments) - [Sundanese music](/source/Sundanese_music) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Awang Mohd; Zain Jamil Al-Sufri (1990). [*Tarsilah Brunei: sejarah awal dan perkembangan Islam*](https://books.google.com/books?id=_J9uAAAAMAAJ) (in Malay). Jabatan Pusat Sejarah Kementerian Kebudayaan, Belia, dan Sukan. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Ooi2004_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Ooi2004_2-1) [Ooi, Keat Gin](/source/Keat_Gin_Ooi) (1 January 2004). [*Southeast Asia: A Historical Encyclopedia, from Angkor Wat to East Timor*](https://books.google.com/books?id=QKgraWbb7yoC&pg=PA923). ABC-CLIO. pp. 923–. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-57607-770-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-57607-770-2). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [*Fodor's Exploring Singapore & Malaysia*](https://books.google.com/books?id=KHviAAAAMAAJ). Fodor's Travel Publications Incorporated. 1994. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780679026662](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780679026662). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Endang, Bakat Alam dan Cianjuran"](https://web.archive.org/web/20040703182623/http://www.pikiran-rakyat.com/cetak/0504/16/khazanah/galeriseni01.htm). 2006. Archived from [the original](http://www.pikiran-rakyat.com/cetak/0504/16/khazanah/galeriseni01.htm) on 2004-07-03. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Endang Sukandar demonstration video on Youtube"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kAavxKWrPs). *[YouTube](/source/YouTube)*. 2004. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Faza Suraj (26 September 2014). ["Cultural Week held during school holidays"](http://borneobulletin.com.bn/cultural-week-held-school-holidays/). Borneo Bulletin. Retrieved 16 October 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Tamara Thiessen (2012). [*Borneo: Sabah - Brunei - Sarawak*](https://books.google.com/books?id=DCDkRTYwN5AC&pg=PA27). Bradt Travel Guides. pp. 27–. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-84162-390-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-84162-390-0). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Herman (2009). ["Suling"](http://www.flyingdusun.com/004_Features/043_instruments.htm#Suling). *Music Instruments in Sabah (Sabah's Musical Heritage and Future)*. Flying Dusun. Retrieved 16 October 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [*The Sarawak Museum Journal*](https://books.google.com/books?id=Zm9XAAAAYAAJ). Sarawak Museum. 1990. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Amin, Mohammad (2005). ["A Comparison of Music of the Philippines and Sulawesi"](http://sulawesistudies.blogspot.com/2005/09/comparison-of-music-of-philippines-and.html). *Sulawesi*. Retrieved June 12, 2006. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** de Leon Jr., Felipe M (2006). ["Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan - 1993 Awardee - MASINO INTARAY and the Basal and Kulilal Ensemble"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060716025744/http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about_cultarts/cultprofile/gamaba/intaray.php). *National Commission For Culture and the Arts. 2002. National Commission For Culture and the Arts*. Archived from [the original](http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about_cultarts/cultprofile/gamaba/intaray.php) on July 16, 2006. Retrieved June 12, 2006. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Mercurio, Philip Dominguez (2006). ["Traditional Music of the Southern Philippines"](http://www.pnoyandthecity.blogspot.com). *PnoyAndTheCity: A center for Kulintang - A home for Pasikings*. Retrieved June 12, 2006. v t e Gamelan Theory Pelog Slendro Pathet Cengkok Seleh Sekaran Imbal & kotekan Gatra Colotomy Gendhing structures Irama Gamelan notation Genres & ensembles American gamelan Angklung gamelan Bebonangan gamelan Beleganjur gamelan Degung gamelan Gadhon gamelan Gambang gamelan Gender wayang gamelan Gong gede gamelan Gong kebyar gamelan Gong Si Bolong Goong Renteng Jegog gamelan Joged bumbung gamelan Malay gamelan Munggang gamelan Salendro gamelan Sekaten gamelan Selunding gamelan Semar pegulingan gamelan Siteran gamelan Surakartan gamelan Musicians K. P. H. Notoprojo Nartosabdo Martopangrawit Rahayu Supanggah Sumarsam I Nyoman Windha Evan Ziporyn Gamelan Sekar Jaya Gamelan Son of Lion List of U.S. gamelan ensembles Michael Tenzer Instruments Colotomic or phrase-making Gong Gong ageng Kempul Kempyang Kenong Ketuk Balungan or melody Bonang Bonang barung Bonang panerus Bonang panembung Saron Saron peking Saron panerus Saron barung Saron demung Slentem Slentho Panerusan or elaborating Gambang Gender Gender panerus Kacapi Kacapi Rincik Rebab Siter Celempung Suling Unpitched Bedug Kecer Kemanak Kendang Kendang gending Kendang ciblon Kendang ketipung Kendang indung Kendang kulanter Kepyak Vocals and clapping Gerongan Sindenan Pesinden Alok Senggakan Keplok v t e Traditional musical instruments of Indonesia Gamelan • Kulintang • Kolintang • Talempong • Totobuang • Gambang Kromong • Talo Balak Aerophones Akordeon Suling Tanjidor Saluang Suling Kuriding Toleat Tarompet Chordophones Cak Cekuntrung Celempung Cuk Gambus Hasapi Jentreng Kacapi Kacapi Minang Kacaping Kulcapi Kongahyan Tarawangsa Tehyan Penting Rebab Sasando Sapeh Siter Sukong Idiophones Agung Angklung Babendil Bonang Calung Cengceng Gambang Gangsa Genggong Gendèr Gong Gong ageng Karinding Kecer Kecrek Kemanak Kempul Kempyang and ketuk Kenong Kepyak Klentang Kledi Kromong Kubing Pekhing Reyong Rindik Saron Slenthem Slentho Tamborin Ugal Membranophones Bedug Gendang beleq Gordang sambilan Kendang Kompang Rebana Marawis Related articles List of gamelan instruments List of gamelan varieties v t e List of traditional Malaysian musical instruments by classification Gamelan • Ghazal • Kulintangan • Caklempong Aerophones Accordion Harmonium Nafiri Seruling Serunai Sompoton Turali Chordophones Biola Kreb Gambus Gitar Rebab Sapeh Sundatang Tongkungon Umbang Idiophones Agung Gong Kulintangan Togunggak Membranophones Gendang/Tontog Kompang/Rebana Marwas v t e Traditional instruments of the Southern Philippines Maguindanao kulintang ensemble Kulintang Agung Gandingan Babendil Dabakan Other (non-ensemble) instruments Kulintang a kayo Gandingan a Kayo Kulintang a tiniok Kubing Luntang Agung a tamlang Kagul Palendag Tumpong Suling Kutiyapi Authority control databases National United States Israel Other MusicBrainz instrument Yale LUX --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Suling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suling) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suling?action=history)). 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