KotoK

The koto is a 13-stringed zither with a harp-like sound made of paulownia wood.  The instrument originated in China (gu zheng), and was introduced to Japan around the 7th century. The strings are stretched over notched, movable bridges, enabling the player to adjust the strings to any pitch or scale. >>More

'Ohe hano ihu

Literary: bamboo, breath and nose in Hawaiian. This  flute has  the unique distinction of being played with the nose. A very pure sound from the heart, to the land and to the heavens. It was often used in conjunction with chants and song. >>More

Ki Ho'alu

The Slack Key guitar is a Hawaiian tuning and style of guitar playing. Ki ho'alu literally means to slacken the key. There are many varieties of tunings that were often kept as family tunings. Click to hear a Wahine tuning (CGDCBD). >>More

'Ukeke

The only stringed instrument indigenous to Hawaii. Played with the mouth as a resonator and strummed with the hand. The ukeke shown here is made from Hawaiian koa wood and has three steel strings tuned to an A major triad. In the olden days gut or coconut string was used. >>More

Ka'eke'eke

Hawaiian stomping posts made from Hawaiian bamboo. Used as an accompaniment for hula  as well as with traditional chants. Notice the tapa cloth end covers which protect the instrument during performances. >>More

Khaen

A traditional folk instrument from Thailand that utilizes brass free reeds placed in bamboo pipes  which are activated when a small hole is covered with a finger while blowing air into the mouth piece. >>More

Kercapi

A 2-stringed fretless lute played with a wooden plectrum native to the Batak people of Indonesia. Often decorated with ornate carvings. >>More

Tingklik

The tingklik is a Balinese xylophone made of 11 bamboo pipes tuned to a pentatonic scale and played with rubber-tipped mallets. >>More

Korng Thomm

This Cambodian instrument is a large gong circle in which the performer sits in the middle surrounded with up to 16 brass/copper tuned gongs. >>More

Suling

The suling is an Indonesian end blown bamboo flute with 6 holes. There are two main finger positions for the pelog and sulendra scales. A distinguishing feature is the bamboo tied end which guides the air across the notched blow hole. >>More

Sitar 

The sitar from North India is an 18-stringed lute type instrument with 7 main strings played above movable frets, while the 11 remaining strings (sympathetic strings) vibrate below the frets. It’s components are a hollow wooden neck attached to a pumpkin-shaped gourd. >>More

Tabla

A pair of percussive instruments from India whose unique ecstatic sound has fascinated listeners around the globe. Consisting of a bass drum played with the left hand and a treble tuned drum played with the right hand. >>More