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Special Program in the Arts

STRING ARTS
Quarter 1 – Module 1:
Introduction to Rondalla
HISTORY OF RONDALLA
Self-Learning Module (SLM)
Quarter 1 – Module 1: INTRODUCTION TO RONDALLA
First Edition, 2020

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SPA STRING ARTS
(Rondalla)

Quarter 1 – Module 1:

Introduction to Rondalla
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the SPA 7 & 8 Self-Learning Module (SLM) on String Arts!

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators

both from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator in
helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while
overcoming their personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help
learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration
their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of
the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
willhelp you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module.
You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist
the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

For the learner:

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Welcome to the SPA 7 & 8 Self-Learning Module (SLM) on String Arts!

The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create and
accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a
learner is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant
competencies and skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in
your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities
for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be
enabled to process the contents of the learning resource while being an active
learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to Know This will give you an idea of the skills or
competencies you are expected to learn in the module.

What I Know This part includes an activity that aims to check what
you already know about the lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip this module.

What’s In This is a brief drill or review to help you link the current
lesson with the previous one.
What’s New In this portion, the new lesson will be introduced to you
in various ways such as a
story, a song, a poem, a problem opener, an
activity or a situation.

What is It This section provides a brief discussion of the lesson. This

aims to help you discover and understand new concepts and skills.

What’s More This comprises activities for independent practice to

solidify your understanding and skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the Answer Key at the end of the module.

What I Have Learned This includes questions or blank

sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process what you learned from the lesson.

What I Can Do This section provides an activity which will help you
transfer your new knowledge or skill
into real life situations or concerns.
Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate your level of
mastery in achieving the learning

competency.

Additional Activities In this portion, another activity will be given to

`you to enrich your knowledge or skill of the lesson learned. This also
tends retention of learned concepts.

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 Answer Key This contains answers to some activities in the
module.

At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in developing

this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of
the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are
not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning
and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

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 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master Rondalla. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many
different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse
vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard
sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed
to correspond with the textbook you are now using.

The module is divided into three lessons, namely:

• Lesson 1 – Introduction to Rondalla

• Lesson 2 – Instruments Used in Rondalla
• Lesson 3 – Parts of each instruments.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

 recognize what is rondalla

 recognize the instruments used in rondalla
 identify the parts of each of the rondalla instruments

What I Know

Let’s see if you have prior knowledge about rondalla.

Directions: Encircle letter of your answer.

1. What is rondalla?
a. A group of musicians using percussive instruments.
b. A group of musicians playing wind instruments.
c. A group of musicians using stringed instruments.
d. A group of musicians playing the piano.

2. It is considered the mainstay among the instruments used in rondalla.

a. bandurria
b. laud
c. guitar
d. bajo de arco

3. It is the largest and the lowest-pitched stringed instrument

a. bandurria
b. laud
c. guitar
d. bajo de arco

4. This rondalla instruments has a basic shape as a teardrop. It is larger

than the bandurria.
a. bandurria
b. laud
c. octavina
d. bajo de arco

5. This rondalla instrument has the same shape as the guitar but smaller
in size and has 14 strings.
a. bandurria
b. laud
c. octavina
d. bajo de arco

6. This instrument serves as accompaniment in the rondalla.

a. bandurria
b. laud
c. guitar
d. bajo de arco

7. This is used to strum the strings instead of using your nails or finger to
play the rondalla instruments.
a. wire
b. pick
c. capo
d. nut

8. How many strings are there in a bandurria?

a. 12
b. 13
c. 14
d. 15

9. There are _____ strings in a guitar.

a. 12
b. 13
c. 5
d. 6

10. A bajo de arco or double bass has ______ strings.

a. 2
b. 3
c. 4
d. 5

11. It is the rapid manner of picking to sustain the tone.

a. Upward picking
b. Downward picking
c. tremolo
d. down-up picking

12. This manner of picking is required in playing running passages as fast

tempo demands.
a.Upward picking
b. Downward picking
c.tremolo
d. down-up picking

13. This part of the guitar is used to tune the strings of the guitar.
a. Tuning pegs
b. nut
c. sound hole
d. tail piece

14. A bandurria has ____ fret marks

a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4

15. If you are a right handed musician, your fretting hand will be:
a. right
b. left
c. left and right
d. none
 Lesson
The Rondalla
1
In this module, you will learn independently what is rondalla and its history.

The lesson comes with activities designed to measure your progress. You have
to answer each to the best of your ability and be honest as you can.
Hopefully, after learning this module, you will be equipped with knowledge
and skill in rondalla.

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

a. define what is rondalla;

b. identify the instruments used in rondalla; and

c. identify the parts of each of the instruments.

What’s In

Can you define what is rondalla? As a student, how do you think you
would be able to succeed if you will pursue a career in rondalla?
 What’s New

Rondalla
Rondalla will help you learn the basic knowledge one has to acquire in playing
the rondalla instruments. Let’s begin by answering the following questions.

Activity 1

1. What is your favorite Filipino song? _________

2. Do you know how to play a Filipino song? ________

3. List 3 chords used in a song. You can ask the help of a family member
who knows how to play a guitar

a._______________
b._______________
c._______________

Continue answering the following questions, using the information you have
gathered.

4. Among the chords that you wrote, which one do you know how to play?
___________________________________________.

5. Can you describe in one or two sentences how

to play it?
_________________________________________________

6. If you were to play your favorite song, do you think it is important to

use the right chords? ___________________________

7. Why? __________________________________________

If you want to play your favorite song or simply play any song, you should be
familiar with the correct chords, instruments, and techniques in playing an
instrument.
 What is It

RONDALLA

The rondalla is a plucked string ensemble composed of instruments belonging to

the lute and cittern families. The standard rondalla consists of five sections: the
bandurria, octavina, laud, guitarra (guitar), and bajo (bass).

The instruments of the Philippine rondalla have been patterned from the Spanish
instruments, but through the years they have evolved to become truly Filipino.
The rondalla was brought to the Philippines by Spain during the colonization (16 th
to 19th century) but there is no exact year when it started in the country. While
the Philippines take its rondalla history from Spain, Spain’s plucked string
tradition may be traced to the music traditions of the Middle East that play
instruments from the family of the ud and the sitar (Persia)
Some of the rondalla groups formed in the early 20 th century were the Comparza
Santa Cecilia (1908) led by Victorino Carreon; the Rondalla Ideal founded by
Antonio Molina in 1909; the Rondalla Oriental headed by Dalmacio Samarista; as
well as the Comparza Gumamela and the Rondalla Apollo organized by Jose Silos.
Even cab drivers had a rondalla group: it was called the Manila Yellow Taxicab
Rondalla established in 1940 by the owner of the cab company, Don Enrique
Montserrat. Some of the conductors who led the group were Antonio Molina,
Honorato Asuncion, and Felipe Padilla de Leon. It performed with bands and
orchestras such as the Montserrat Philharmonic Band and the Yellow Taxi
Orchestra and Chorus.

RONDALLA INSTRUMENTS

Bandurria

This is the mainstay instrument in the rondalla. It stands out

both in number and in the roles played in the group. It
performs the principal melody as well as a variety of
ornamental musical lines.
Octavina

Traditionally the octavina plays counterparts and serves as filler

in the harmony. Today it also plays the melody in full or in part
for special effect or variety.

Laud
In terms of natural sound and the parts played, the laud is practically a
duplication of the octavina. The division of their lines in the score has
become more for convenience than out of technical needs in the
instrumentation.

Guitar
The guitar serves chiefly as accompaniment in the
rondalla. It helps maintain the rhythm and supports
the blending of tones in the harmony.

Bajo de arco (Double bass)

The bass serves as the pulse that controls the rhythmic flow of the music. It
creates the low and deep tones that broaden the aggregate sound of the
instruments.

PARTS OF THE RONDALLA INSTRUMENTS

Parts of bandurria and laud

Parts of octavina

Parts of guitar
Parts of double bass

Activity 2:
Spot the difference and similarities between each rondalla and other rondalla
instruments.

Directions: Find as many difference and similarities as you can. Write your
answers on the space provided.

Difference Similarities

Ex. Ex.

They have different sizes They are all stringed instruments

_____________________________________
________________________________________

_____________________________________
________________________________________

_____________________________________
________________________________________

_____________________________________
________________________________________

_____________________________________
________________________________________

_____________________________________
________________________________________

_____________________________________
________________________________________

Activity 3:
Without looking at the previous pages, name the parts of the following
instruments.

Bandurria
 Guitar

Double Bass

Activity 4:
To be more familiar with the rondalla instruments, kindly draw the
bandurria, octavina, guitar, and the double bass and name each of its
parts.

Bandurria

Octavina
Guitar

Double bass
 Assessment

Now let’s evaluate your level of mastery in achieving your learning.

Ready go!

Directions: Identified the rondalla instruments, drawn, and identified its

parts to a family member. The table below shows the rating sheet as his/
her guide. (Optional: take a short video).
Score/Rate
Drawn and identified all 5 rondalla instruments 100

Drawn and identified 4 rondalla instruments 95

Drawn and identified 3 rondalla instruments 90
Drawn and identified 2 rondalla instruments 85
Drawn and identified 1 rondalla instruments 80

Additional Activities

Did you have fun with the activity? Where you able to get 95? If yes,
proceed to the next lesson. If not, go over the definitions once more, before
you go to the next lesson.

Research on other parts of a rondalla instruments that are not in this module.
 Espejo Rondalla Method
References
What I Know What's More
15.B
1 .C 1. Stainless
14.C
2 .C 2.
3 .B
13.A
3.
4 .A 4. Measuring cup
12.D
5 .D 5. 11.C
6 .B 6. microwave
10.C
7 .D 7. Teflon
9. D
8. soup ladle
8 .B 8. C
9 .C 9. 7. B
10 . C 10. 6. C
11. D 5. C
12 . B 4. B
13 . C 3. D
14 . A 2. A
15 . C 1. C
Answer Key