Getting To Know The Rondalla Instruments

         The major Philippine rondalla instruments are the banduria, the guitar, the octavina, the laud, and the bass guitar or double bass. The banduria is the central instrument of the ensemble and, along with the octavina and laud, is unique to the Philippines. The guitar and double bass each have six strings, but the other instruments have 14 strings grouped into six tuning units to produce a richer sound.

        Eight-piece Philippine ensembles typically have four bandurias, one guitar, an octavina, a laud and a double bass. Many groups are quite large, with 30 or 40 members, especially for important social events. A 30-piece ensemble usually has 16 bandurias, three piccolo bandurias, three guitars, three octavinas, three lauds and two double basses. Of course, the number and type of percussion instruments can vary for any size of rondalla.

Source: http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-rondalla.htm