When I was 7, I had to choose a musical instrument to play as a hobby, and I chose the piano. I played until I was 8 before we decided to move to Lancaster, United Kingdom for 3 years. I always felt a love for music, but I never got my nerve up enough to try a musical instrument in school. I stopped playing seriously ever since and just play the piano by heart and through listening. I hate reading music notes unlike the professional musicians; where they let the notes flow as if they were reading a novel. I really wanted to be a musician, and played in an orchestra, but I never could pull that off. I grew up playing musical instruments such as piano, guitar, and electric organ for my own amazement, but I knew kids who did and took it seriously.
The next chapter of my life took me into a new musical dimension, not like any other. I was exposed to traditional musical instruments when I became a resident in Tuanku Kurshiah Residential College (3rd College), University of Malaya. I was in awed watching my seniors played the instruments. The instrument is called "Kuolintang". It is consists of five different instruments namely; Angklung, Ukulele, Melody, Rhythm, and Bass. From the name itself you can guess how does it work and sounds like.
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| Top left: Angklung, Below: Ukulele Top right and downwards: Melody, Bass, Rhythm |
A little bit of the history:
It all started from Prof. Madya Dato Dr. Sharifuddin
Zainuddin, who is a former Principal at Tuanku Kurshiah Residential College. He was introduced to the uniqueness of the "Kuolintang" while he was on a trip in Indonesia, and decided to bring the instruments back home to University of Malaya in 2007. Since then, it became a tradition to our college, and played from generation to generation.
In 2010, I was the fifth generation to play the instrument, along with my other team members. To be honest, I can play all five instruments, but I specialized in playing the Bass. To top that, I was the first female Bass player of the "Kuolintang". It's easy to play any musical instruments if you have the basic, and ears for music. For me, learning is a continuous process and an all-in-one; reading a book, playing musical instruments, as well as learning martial arts (I'm also a black belt holder in Taekwondo. *wink*). So, it's never to late to learn new things and allow yourself to be emotionally authentic and expressive.
How time flies and it has been 3 years since I left University of Malaya. I miss playing "Kuolintang" every single night in the music studio and performing our famous cover of Matsuri by Kitaro in front of the audiences. Every now and then, I spend some time teaching my juniors playing the instruments and composed new songs for them to practice and perform (you may watch the attached videos). I do hope that someday they will carry and pass on the knowledge to the next generation.
As quoted by Plato, "Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."
Prepared by,
Zulaikha binti Zulkifli
Lecturer, English Department.
