Xiaogu (pinyin: xiǎo gǔ) is a musical instrument of the Zhuang, Dong, Yi, Tujia and other ethnic groups. Popular in Guangxi, Guizhou, Yunnan, Hubei, Hunan and other provinces. Snare drums are mostly used in the folk, and are used during Chinese New Year. It is basically the same as the big drum, except that the drum skin is made of sheepskin, and the side that does not strike is stretched with multiple strings; the drum drum uses two hardwood drums, and the drum head is smaller and does not contain any foreign objects.
In ancient times, the drum was revered as a musical instrument that reached the sky, mainly as a sacrificial instrument; in hunting and expedition activities, the drum was widely used. The drum has been used as a musical instrument since the Zhou Dynasty. In the Zhou Dynasty, there were eight tones, and the drum was the leader of the group. The so-called "drum and qin se" in ancient literature means that the drum sound is used as a guide before the qin se is played. The cultural connotation of the drum is broad and profound. The majestic drum sound closely accompanies the human beings, and the ancient barbarians are gradually moving towards civilization.
There is no fixed pitch, but it is pronounced more frequently than the kick drum. The timbre is clear, crisp, and accompanied by a rustling sound, which is unique. The playing methods are divided into three types: single, double and roll. Among them, the roll is the most characteristic of the snare drum. The double drums are struck alternately very quickly, producing clear and clear sound. Different musical emotions can be expressed.
The small drums of various ethnic groups have different shapes due to different popular regions and occasions. They are mostly used in traditional ethnic festivals, weddings and funerals, and folk instrumental ensembles and opera accompaniment.