Which instruments make up the wuchang ensemble for military scenes in Peking opera?

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In Peking opera (jingxi), the wuchang ensemble—which provides accompaniment for military scenes—is primarily composed of percussion instruments. These include:

  • Barrel drums with tacked heads (gu)1
  • Cymbals (bo)1
  • Large flat gongs1

Additionally, the ensemble often incorporates a small flat gong (luo), a drum known as the bangu, and clappers (paiban). In these military scenes, the ensemble may also be joined by a double reed instrument with a conical bore and bell, known as the suona.1