The West African term for this type of instrument, xalam (“khah-LAHM”), lends its name to a longstanding Senegalese mbalax (“mm-BAH-lakh”) music group. One genre of pieces for a type of these instruments begins with a free-rhythm oki section and later is accompanied by prominent taiko drums during a lively odori-ji dance section. That Japanese type of these instruments forms the sankyoku ensemble with the koto and shakuhachi and is based on the Chinese sānxián (“SAHN-sh’yen”). “Ambush from Ten Sides” is a piece for a Chinese instrument (-5[1])of this type derived from the Persian barbat, known for its pear shape. In English, this instrument is the origin of the term for a maker of violins and cellos. For 10 points, the pípá is an example of what plucked string instruments whose European types descend from the oud? ■END■