Shaping Bamboo (1979)
33m
Running Time
January 1, 1979Release Date
Plot.
For the 'Are'are people of the Solomon Islands, the most valued music is that of the four types of panpipe ensembles. With the exception of slit drums, all musical instruments are made of bamboo; therefore the general word for instruments and the music performed with them is "bamboo" ('au). This film shows the making of panpipes, from the cutting the bamboo in the forest to the making of the final bindings. The most important part of the work consists in shaping each tube to its necessary length. Most 'Are'are panpipe makers measure the length of old instruments before they shape new tubes. Master musician 'Irisipau, surprisingly, takes the measure using his body, and adjusts the final tuning by ear. For the first time we can see here how the instruments and their artificial equiheptatonic scale-seven equidistant degrees in an octave-are practically tuned.
Where to Watch.
Free
Currently Shaping Bamboo is available for streaming online, rent, buy or watch for free on: Kanopy
Streaming in:🇺🇸 United States
Cast & Crew.
'Irisipau
Self - Panpipe maker
Supamae 'Irisitapa'a
Self - 'Irisipau's Assistant
Kinipa'ea
Self - 'au tahana panpipe ensemble
Ooreana
Self - 'au tahana panpipe ensemble
Warahane
Self - 'au tahana panpipe ensemble
Hugo Zemp
Director
Jean-Christian Nicaise
Editor
Details.
This Movie Is About.
music instrument
folklore
bamboo
oceania