Gyaling oboe

Museum number:
9-22059a-c
Permalink:
ark:/21549/hm210922059a@2dc
Alternate number:
BY.T-106 and T-106 (original number)
Description:
This is a "gyaling" or Tibetan oboe. It has a split reed that fits at the very top. The reed is fragile and often changed during heavy use. There is no reed present here. The gyaling is played only in pairs. There is only one in this collection. "Gyaling" means "royal oboe". It is played to indicate that something very grand is taking place, or someone very important is arriving. When a king or a great Lama is entering an assembly, a pair of gyalings will be played. It is fingered like a wooden flute or a recorder. There is always a lead player (first gyaling) and an accompanying player (second gyaling). The second gyaling must watch the fingers of the first gyaling and play exactly what he plays. The fraction of a second delay makes for a rich echoing sound.This is a very plain gyaling, with little ornamentation. The gyalings of more prosperous temples are inset with turquoise and coral, and richly decorated in gilded brass flourishes.
Collection place:
Tibet
Verbatim coll. place:
Tibet
Collector:
Theos C. Bernard
Materials:
Brass (alloy), Bronze (metal), and Wood (plant material)
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Gyalings (oboes)
Function:
5.4 Secular and Religious Musical Instruments
Production date:
19th-20th century
Department:
Asia (except western Russia)
Images:
Hearst Museum object 1 of 4 titled Gyaling oboe, accession number 9-22059a-c, described as This is a "gyaling" or Tibetan oboe. It has a split reed that fits at the very top. The reed is fragile and often changed during heavy use. There is no reed present here. The gyaling is played only in pairs. There is only one in this collection. "Gyaling" means "royal oboe". It is played to indicate that something very grand is taking place, or someone very important is arriving. When a king or a great Lama is entering an assembly, a pair of gyalings will be played. It is fingered like a wooden flute or a recorder. There is always a lead player (first gyaling) and an accompanying player (second gyaling). The second gyaling must watch the fingers of the first gyaling and play exactly what he plays. The fraction of a second delay makes for a rich echoing sound.This is a very plain gyaling, with little ornamentation. The gyalings of more prosperous temples are inset with turquoise and coral, and richly decorated in gilded brass flourishes.Hearst Museum object 2 of 4 titled Gyaling oboe, accession number 9-22059a-c, described as This is a "gyaling" or Tibetan oboe. It has a split reed that fits at the very top. The reed is fragile and often changed during heavy use. There is no reed present here. The gyaling is played only in pairs. There is only one in this collection. "Gyaling" means "royal oboe". It is played to indicate that something very grand is taking place, or someone very important is arriving. When a king or a great Lama is entering an assembly, a pair of gyalings will be played. It is fingered like a wooden flute or a recorder. There is always a lead player (first gyaling) and an accompanying player (second gyaling). The second gyaling must watch the fingers of the first gyaling and play exactly what he plays. The fraction of a second delay makes for a rich echoing sound.This is a very plain gyaling, with little ornamentation. The gyalings of more prosperous temples are inset with turquoise and coral, and richly decorated in gilded brass flourishes.Hearst Museum object 3 of 4 titled Gyaling oboe, accession number 9-22059a-c, described as This is a "gyaling" or Tibetan oboe. It has a split reed that fits at the very top. The reed is fragile and often changed during heavy use. There is no reed present here. The gyaling is played only in pairs. There is only one in this collection. "Gyaling" means "royal oboe". It is played to indicate that something very grand is taking place, or someone very important is arriving. When a king or a great Lama is entering an assembly, a pair of gyalings will be played. It is fingered like a wooden flute or a recorder. There is always a lead player (first gyaling) and an accompanying player (second gyaling). The second gyaling must watch the fingers of the first gyaling and play exactly what he plays. The fraction of a second delay makes for a rich echoing sound.This is a very plain gyaling, with little ornamentation. The gyalings of more prosperous temples are inset with turquoise and coral, and richly decorated in gilded brass flourishes.Hearst Museum object 4 of 4 titled Gyaling oboe, accession number 9-22059a-c, described as This is a "gyaling" or Tibetan oboe. It has a split reed that fits at the very top. The reed is fragile and often changed during heavy use. There is no reed present here. The gyaling is played only in pairs. There is only one in this collection. "Gyaling" means "royal oboe". It is played to indicate that something very grand is taking place, or someone very important is arriving. When a king or a great Lama is entering an assembly, a pair of gyalings will be played. It is fingered like a wooden flute or a recorder. There is always a lead player (first gyaling) and an accompanying player (second gyaling). The second gyaling must watch the fingers of the first gyaling and play exactly what he plays. The fraction of a second delay makes for a rich echoing sound.This is a very plain gyaling, with little ornamentation. The gyalings of more prosperous temples are inset with turquoise and coral, and richly decorated in gilded brass flourishes.

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