July 12, 2007
Sansula Octaves

Listen to Sansula Octave Pairs

Last week when we learned the C chord, we found that we had two 1's and two 3rds. The two notes in each pair form an octave, and the note on the upper row of tines is one octave higher than the corresponding note on the lower row of tines. They sound like the same note, but the upper one vibrates at twice the frequency of the lower one. Like the first "do" and last "do" of "do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do".

On the Sansula, the upper note in each octave pair happens to be right next to the lower note. There are three octave pairs on the Sansula in standard tuning. Even though this is a very non-traditional instrument, this aspect of the Sansula IS traditional to African karimbas and mbiras.

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