Buffalo horns and the call of frogs: Some ancient free reed instruments from Southeast Asia.

Construction and acoustical properties are described for two types of Southeast Asian free reed instruments of prehistoric origin. The mouth‐resonated lamellophones common throughout the region are made by cutting three sides of the vibrating tongue from a single piece of wood, bamboo, or metal. The tongue cannot be plucked directly, but is excited by plucking the frame. The instrument is played by placing the reed tongue over the lips of the player using the vocal tract as a resonator. It is possible in some cases to produce tones by blowing as well as plucking. Uses of these instruments include imitation of the call of frogs in certain rituals and disguising of the voice. The free reed horn, chiefly used for alarm signals, funeral rites, and other ritual purposes, consists of a horn of a water buffalo or cow hollowed out and fitted with a single metal or bamboo free reed. Three pitches are possible, one with both ends of the horn open, one with the narrow end closed with a hand, and the third with both ends closed.