The gabbang, also called the bamboo xylophone, is a musical instrument made from bamboo that is often used in southern Philippines. It is especially common among the Tausug and Samas people, who play it to go along with songs and dances. The gabbang can be played alone or with another instrument called the biola.

Physical features

A gabbang is made up of trapezoid-shaped bamboo bars of different lengths that rest on a resonator. The number of bars depends on the group that makes them. For the Yakans, the number of bars ranges from three to nine, but the most common gabbang has five bars. Among the Tausugs, the number of bars ranges from 14 to 22, but the most common gabbang has 12 bars. In Palawan, the most common gabbang has five bars.

Playing techniques

A bamboo xylophone is played by hitting it directly with a wooden mallet. The gabbang is played using two beaters, while someone else taps a rhythm on the side of the box.