The U9 Xylophone: An Innovation in Music Classroom Teaching

The native cultures of Sabah are rich in traditional musical instruments. However, through a recent survey of a few primary and private schools around Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, the author noticed that the musical instruments used to teach music are mostly Western. This observation raises an important question: Is it possible for local musical instruments to be modified for teaching music in the classroom? A careful observation of the kulintangan (set of small kettle gongs) and gabang (wooden xylophone) from the Kinabatangan area of Sabah allowed the author to create a modified bamboo xylophone, which she named the U9 Xylophone, since its target users are children under nine years of age. The U9 Xylophone set was specifically modified and tuned for three different ranges: soprano, alto and bass. This paper describes the physical structure, tuning system, mallets and performance technique of the U9 Xylophone set.In addition, it offers some suggestions for the use of the U9 Xylophone in teaching, including two music arrangements. The author thus hopes to promote the nationwide utilisation of local innovative products for the teaching of music to children under nine years of age.