Sasando is one type of stringed instruments. However, which contrasted with other stringed instruments are the shape and tone resulting from this Sasando. Sasando derived from Rote Island, East Nusa Tenggara.
The main part of the long tubular Sasando commonly made from bamboo. Then in the middle, a circle from top to bottom are wedge-wedge in which the strings (strings) that stretched across the tube, from top to bottom rests. Wedge-wedge gives a different tone to each chord passages. Then this Sasando tube placed in a container made from a kind of woven palm leaves like a fan made. This container is the place Sasando resonance.
Sasando do have a lot of strings. Sasando with 28 strings are termed Sasando ankle. Another type; Sasando Doubles its name, has 56 strings. There's even a 84 string. How to play Sasando to be picked. Similar to the guitar. Only Sasando without chord (key) and the strings should be plucked with both hands, so more like Harp.
The main part of Sasando shaped like a harp, with the media sound reflector made of tree leaves Gebang (a type of tree grows Lontar that many on the island of Timor and the island of Rote) that dilekuk a half circle. Place the strings tied to the hardware is made of bamboo, string holder who is also a regulator of the string tone was also made of bamboo. Bamboo stems and leaves tied together with a circular Gebang made earlier.
Currently Sasando already started on modifications. Reflective noise from leaf gebang been replaced with electric guitar spool attached to a bamboo pole in the middle Sasando. Sure Sasando this model can only issue a loud noise with the help of sound system.
