Cak (instrument)

Last updated
Cak
Suasana latihan keroncong.jpg
The instrument being played as part of a keroncong group. The Cuk is on the left and the Cak is on the right.
String instrument
Classification String instrument
Hornbostel–Sachs classification
(Composite chordophone)
Developed Java (Indonesia)
Related instruments
Cuk (instrument), Ukulele, Cavaquinho, Banjo

The Cak is a stringed musical instrument from Java (Indonesia). It has four strings in three courses. It is tuned D5 D5, F#4, B4. The strings are made of steel.

Contents

The body is usually hollowed out of a solid piece of wood. The soundboard has many little soundholes arranged in a geometric pattern. It is mainly used to play Keroncong music along with the Cuk.

History

The depiction of Ancient Java's plucked instrument on Borobudur bas-reliefs - 8th century temple in Central Java. Borobudur lute, stick zither and flute, 1880 photo.jpg
The depiction of Ancient Javaʼs plucked instrument on Borobudur bas-reliefs – 8th century temple in Central Java.

The Cak is thought[ who? ] to be evolved from a banjo, but developed as a small-sized wooden front and a guitar-shaped body. However, the earlier period in Ancient Java shows clear evidences that the native Javanese were already familiar with the small plucked instrument.

References


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