MUSIC OF LOWLANDS OF LUZON
- composed of Vocal and Instrumental 3.
music, which varies in every province of
Luzon
The lowland folks are composed mostly of farmers,
fishermen, artisans, vendor and traders and common people.
They have a deep faith in God, whom they served with faith
and devotion. His/her key celebrations are festivals for
thanksgiving of good harvest, and to honor Jesus Christ, Santo
Niňo, Virgin Mary, and patron saints in the Roman Catholic
Church.
Through the various music used for liturgy, devotion, and
secular purposes, one will discover how the people of the
lowlands express his/her feelings, history, and religious
beliefs.
1. FOLK SONGS OF THE LUZON (LOWLANDS)
- Folk songs are written by the folk and are sung
to accompany daily activities such as farming,
fishing, and putting baby to sleep. These are
traditionally passed on orally.
- Most Philippine folk songs have Spanish and
other western influences.
Characteristics of folk songs
 Originally passed down orally to the family, and to
the other members of the community
 Learned through rote
 Sung in his/her own dialect
 Begins in one key and ends with the same key
 Composers and lyricists are usually unknown
 Mood can be sentimental, playful and humorous
 Concept are based on people’s work, tradition and
culture
 Short and simple
 Either in duple meter, triple meter or quadruple
meter
2. LITURGY AND DEVOTIONAL MUSIC
- Religious music of the lowlands of Luzon reveals
the impact of Spanish colonization to the
Philippines which lasted for almost three
centuries. With the introduction of Christianity
came the different Western forms of music that
are used for religious rites.
Pastores Santacruzan
Senakulo Komedya
Pabasa Flores de Mayo
Salubong
SECULAR MUSIC
Colonially-influenced secular music
- Refers to any music that is not religious in
nature.
a. Harana – is a serenade traditionally sung by a
man to express his love to a lady. It is sung with
emotion and usually accompanied by a guitar.
b. Kumintang – originated from Balayan, Batangas.
This song is with themes of love and courtship.
c. Pandanggo – courtship dance but it can also
refer to a type of song to entertain the farmers
in the rice field.
d. Polka – originated from a Bohemian dance
became popular in Europe and America in early
19th century. In the Philippines, it was performed
in elegant evening gatherings at the height of its
popularity during the Spanish colonial period.
e. Balitaw – dialogue or courtship song in triple
meter, mostly in 2 and 3 part forms and
arranged with counter melodies.
f. Kundiman (“kung hindi man”) – through its
melody, lyrics and expressive singing, the
kundiman conveys a selfless and spiritual
attitude, intense love, longing, caring, devotion
and oneness not only with a romantic partner,
but also with a parent, child, spiritual figure, or
the motherland.
4. INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
(Brass Band)
The brass band is an ensemble of
woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. It is
usually played in fiestas, religious, and civic
celebrations.
Brass Band Instrument
- Woodwinds
- Brass winds
- Percussions
Musikong Bumbong
- are Filipino marching bands that
use woodwind instruments that are made
of bamboo. The musikong bumbong playing
together produces good harmony.
Pangkat Kawayan
- “Singing Bamboos of the
Philippines”
- An orchestra that plays music
using non-traditional bamboo instruments.
Angklung Ensemble
- Small group of musicians who
plays angklung bamboo instruments.
Angklung instruments are made of bamboo
rattle tubes attached to a bamboo frame.