Rkang-gling
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The Rkang-gling is a short metal trumpet. The bell of this example is shaped like a mythical Tibetan sea monster, called a makara. When you blow into it, the tongue of the monster moves up and down rapidly. The rkang-gling comes from Tibet where it is played in Buddhist temples.
| Family |
| Brasses |
| Pitch range |
| Less than one octave. |
| Material |
| Metal, usually copper, but sometimes human bone. |
| Size |
| About 17 in (43 cm) long. |
| Origins |
| The rkang-gling is a Tibetan trumpet used in Buddhist ritual. It is usually played as one of a pair. |
| Classification |
| Aerophone: an instrument that produces its sound by the vibration of a column of air. |
| And also... |
| Rkang-glings were originally made from the human femur (thigh) bone. This is because Buddhists believe that once dead, your body is no more use to you and, like old clothes, can be used by anyone else. The word "rkang" means femur, while "gling" means flute. |
