Final answer:
The Chinese mouth organ made of bamboo pipes is known as the Sheng, an ancient and versatile Chinese instrument. It uses the principle of resonance, similar to instruments like the marimba, to generate sound.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Chinese mouth organ made of bamboo pipes refers to the traditional Chinese instrument known as the Sheng.
This instrument is composed of a series of vertical pipes, each fitted with a free reed, which are mounted together onto a base with a mouthpiece.
When a player blows into the mouthpiece, the reeds vibrate, producing musical notes. The layout of the Sheng allows for both single notes and chords to be played, making it a versatile instrument in Chinese music.
The use of various materials to create musical sounds has been around since prehistoric times, similar to the way the marimba uses gourds as resonance chambers to amplify its sound, as mentioned in Figure 17.35.
While the Sheng is traditionally made from bamboo, similar principles of resonance are at play to enhance its sound.
The instrument's history dates back thousands of years and it has been used in both folk and classical music.