Financial Analysis And Competition Of Microsoft Finance Essay - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 6 Words: 1788 Downloads: 2 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Finance Essay Type Analytical essay Did you like this example? To enable people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential The company, founded in 1975, has worked to achieve its mission through developing and marketing of software and hardware and providing services and solutions that delivers greater convenience and add value to peoples lives. Microsofts presence is throughout the world with offices in more than 100 countries. Microsoft generates revenue by developing a larger range of software products and giving support services for various types of computing devices. Few to name are operating systems for various computers, server applications, business solutions applications, software development tools and video games. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Financial Analysis And Competition Of Microsoft Finance Essay" essay for you Create order It provides support services for its products (customer retention policy) and also gives training to computer system developers. There are a number of Microsoft certified specialized courses. Designing hardware is also a part of their job. Few examples are Xbox 360 gaming, the Zune digital music, and Microsoft personal computer (PC) hardware products. It earns revenues through license fee for software, even as it develops and delivers cloud-based computing services. (https://www.microsoft.com/investor/default.aspx ) Examples of cloud-based services which Microsoft currently offers are: ÃÆ' ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ ¢ Bing, its Internet search service; ÃÆ' ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ ¢ Windows Live Essentials suite, it allows users to upload and organize photos, make movies, communicate via email and messaging and enhance online safety; and ÃÆ' ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ ¢ Xbox LIVE service, it enables online gaming, social networking, and content access. Current cloud-based services (for business users) are: ÃÆ' ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ ¢ Microsoft Office Web Apps (online companions to Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote) ÃÆ' ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ ¢ Business Productivity Online Suite (Offering communications and collaboration solution) ÃÆ' ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ ¢ Microsoft Dynamics Online family of customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resources planning services. Also, Microsoft is in research and development of advanced technologies. Microsoft believes in delivering breakthrough innovation through their integrated software platform in order to meet their customers need and for future growth opportunity. Microsoft focuses on long term growth by improving customer feedback and delivering new products and services and creating new opportunities for its existing partners. Their prime focus is to build on this foundation. OPERATING SEGMENTS Microsoft operates its business in five segments: Windows Windows Live Server and Tools Online Services Microsoft Business Entertainment Devices These segments are very cleverly chosen. They enable Microsoft to easily achieve its Mission. Windows Windows Live Division The overall responsibility of Windows Windows Live Division, also termer as Windows Division, is the development and marketing of the Windows operating system, Windows Live and Internet Explorer. Its revenue growth is mostly correlated with the growth of the PC market, as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) distribution channel (e.g., Dell, HP, Lenovo, Compaq, HCL, Sony, Toshiba etc) accounts for approximately 80% of total Windows Division revenue. Some of the factors impacting OEM revenue are: ÃÆ' ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ ¢ Hardware market changes ÃÆ' ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ ¢ Promotions and pricing changes: Due to variation associated with OEM channel shifts from local system builders to large, multinational OEMs. Windows Division offerings Premium Operating systems Those which contain additional functionality (above standard) and are sold at premium rate Online software and services made available through Windows Live. Versions of Windows operating system: Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP Home and other older versions as Windows 98, Windows 2000 etc. Competition The competitors for Windows operating system are various commercial software products available in the market, offered by some of the well-established companies, including Apple and Google, and from the Linux operating system. Now, Linux (derived from Unix) is available to its users free of any charges. It is one of the first of its kind Open Source operating system. Some other competitors for Microsoft are: Apple Google Mozilla Opera Software Company All of the above offers browsers in competition to Windows Internet Explorer. Server and Tools Server and Tools segment develops and markets and provideservices and solutions around Server software Software developer tools Products and Services: Windows Server operating system Windows Azure Microsoft SQL Server SQL Azure Visual Studio Silverlight System Center products Biz Talk Server Microsoft Consulting Services Premier product support services Competition Computer manufacturers such as Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and Oracle are major players along with Microsoft in this field. Online Services Division The Online Services Division (OSD) includes online information offerings. Examples are Bing, MSN portals and channels. Microsoft majorly earns revenue from online advertising, including search, display, and advertiser and publisher tools. Products and Services: Bing Microsoft adCenter MSN and Atlas online tools (advertisers and publishers). Competition Major competitors for OSD division are Google, Yahoo!, and many other Web sites that provide content and online ad offerings to its users. Microsoft Business Division Microsoft Business Division (MBD) majorly revolves around the following two: Microsoft Office system Microsoft Dynamics business solutions. 90 % revenue of Microsoft Business Division is from Microsoft Office System. Products and Services: Microsoft Office Microsoft SharePoint Microsoft Dynamics ERP and CRM Microsoft Office Web Apps Competition Competitors to the Microsoft Office system include Corel, Adobe, Apple, Google, IBM, Novell, Oracle, Red Hat, Zoho, and other local application developers in Europe and Asia. Infor and Sage compete with Microsofts Dynamic Business solution in both small and midsized markets. Oracle and SAP are solution providers to large size organizations. Entertainment and Devices Division The Entertainment and Devices Division is responsible for developing and marketing: the Xbox 360 platform which includes the Xbox 360 gaming and entertainment console with accessories, third-party games, and Xbox LIVE services. Products and Services: Xbox 360 console and games; Xbox LIVE; Windows Phone; Windows Embedded device operating system; and numerous consumer software and hardware products (such as Mac Office, mice, and keyboards); and Windows Automotive. Competition Competitors of entertainment and devices vary in size from very small companies to very large corporations (with substantial financial and marketing resources). Microsofts Xbox gaming and entertainment business competes Nintendo and Sony. Windows Phone faces competition from a large number of players across the globe. Few to name are Apple, Google, Nokia, QUALCOMM, Research In Motion, and Symbian. (https://www.microsoft.com/en/us/sitemap.aspx) FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS                                                    Year Ended June  30,    2010       2009       2008       2007       2006    Revenue    $   Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  62,484       $   Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  58,437       $   Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  60,420       $   Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  51,122       $   Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  44,282    Operating income    $ 24,098       $ 20,363       $ 22,271    (c)    $ 18,438       $ 16,380    Net income    $ 18,760       $ 14,569       $ 17,681    (c)    $ 14,065       $ 12,599    Diluted earnings per share    $ 2.10       $ 1.62       $ 1.87       $ 1.42       $ 1.20    Cash dividends declared per share    $ 0.52       $ 0.52       $ 0.44       $ 0.40       $ 0.35    Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments    $ 36,788       $ 31,447       $ 23,662       $ 23,411       $ 34,161    Total assets    $ 86,113       $ 77,888       $ 72,793       $ 63,171       $ 69,597    Long-term obligations    $ 13,791    (a)    $ 11,296    (b)    $ 6,621       $ 8,320       $ 7,051    Stockholders equity    $ 46,175       $ 39,558       $ 36,286       $ 31,097       $ 40,104    Includes $1.25 billion of convertible debt securities issued in June 2010 and $3.75 billion of debt securities issued in May 2009. See Note 12 Debt in the Notes to Financial Statements. (b) Includes $3.75 billion of debt securities issued in May 2009. See Note 12 Debt in the Notes to Financial Statements. (c) Includes charge of $1.4 billion (ÃÆ' ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚ ¬899 million) related to the fine imposed by the European Commission in February 2008. (* All figures in Million) (Source Annual report, Microsoft Corporation, 2010) Financial Ratios: Current Ratio : Total current Asset / Total Current Liability = $ 55,676 m / $ 26, 147 m = 2.13 This is also termed as working capital ratio. This ratio gives an idea of how well the company is in a position to pay back its liabilities (short term vs. long term). Compared to Microsofts ratio, Google has a Current ratio of around 10 followed by Adobe, which has a ratio of around 3.5. Quick Ratio : ( current Asset Inventory ) / Current Liability = ($ 55,676 $ 740) m / $ 26, 147 m = 2.1 Quick ratio tells a companys ability to meet its short term liabilities with its most liquid assets. Compared to Microsofts ratio, here again, Google has a Current ratio of around 12 followed by Adobe, which has a ratio of around 4 Cash Ratio: Total Cash / Current Liability = $ 36,788 m / 26,147 m =1.4 Debt to Equity ratio : (Short term debt + long term debt)/ Total stakeholders equity = $ 5,939m/ $ 46,175 m = 0.128 Here, amongst Microsofts competitors, Dell has the highest Debt to Equity ratio of 4.It measures a companys financial leverage by dividing its liabilities to stake holders equity. Financial Leverage : Total Asset / Total Equity =$ 86,113 m / $ 46,175 m = 1.86 Net Profit Margin : Net income / Net revenue = $ 18,760 m / $ 62,484 m =0.30 Return On Asset (ROA) : Net income / Average total asset ( average of current year and previous year) = $ 18,760 m / $ 82,000 m =0.228 =22.8% ROA for Microsoft is highest amongst its competitors followed by google, which has around 19%.It says, how profitable a company is relative to its assets. This makes Microsoft a better investment option for investors. Return On Equity (ROE): Net Income / Average total Equity ( Average of current year and previous year) =$ 18,760 m / $ 42,866 m =0.437 (All calculations are based on financial results of Microsoft for 2010, available at public domain of Microsoft, for its stakeholders) Balance Sheet (In millions)                         June  30,    2010       2009    Assets                         Current assets:                         Cash and cash equivalents    $ 5,505       $ 6,076    Short-term investments (including securities loaned of $62 and $1,540)       31,283          25,371                      Total cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments       36,788          31,447    Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $375 and $451       13,014          11,192    Inventories       740          717    Deferred income taxes       2,184          2,213    Other       2,950          3,711                      Total current assets       55,676          49,280    Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $8,629 and $7,547       7,630          7,535    Equity and other investments       7,754          4,933    Goodwill       12,394          12,503    Intangible assets, net       1,158          1,759    Deferred income taxes       0          279    Other long-term assets       1,501          1,599                      Total assets    $   Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  86,113       $   Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  77,888                               Liabilities and stockholders equity                         Current liabilities:                         Accounts payable    $ 4,025       $ 3,324    Short-term debt       1,000          2,000    Accrued compensation       3,283          3,156    Income taxes       1,074          725    Short-term unearned revenue       13,652          13,003    Securities lending payable       182          1,684    Other       2,931          3,142                      Total current liabilities       26,147          27,034    Long-term debt       4,939          3,746    Long-term unearned revenue       1,178          1,281    Deferred income taxes       229          0    Other long-term liabilities       7,445          6,269    Commitments and contingencies                         Stockholders equity:                         Common stock and paid-in capital shares authorized 24,000; outstanding 8,668 and 8,908       62,856          62,382    Retained deficit, including accumulated other comprehensive income of $1,055 and $969       (16,681 )       (22,824 )                   Total stockholders equity       46,175          39,558                      Total liabilities and stockholders equity    $ 86,113       $ 77,888                               (# Microsoft Financial Statement, 2010) STOCK PERFORMANCE COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN* Among Microsoft Corporation, The SP 500 Index And The NASDAQ Computer Index       6/05       6/06       6/07       6/08       6/09       6/10    Microsoft Corporation    100.00    95.03    121.86    115.40    102.15    100.77 SP 500    100.00    108.63    131.00    113.81    83.98    96.09 NASDAQ Computer    100.00    100.43    126.57    117.26    98.08    119.38 (# Microsoft Financial Statement, 2010) As can be clearly seen, No Agency issues or contingent liabilities could be identified from the financial statements of the company. A company finances its assets through issue of bonds and stocks. Bonds: Bond is a debt instrument. Through bonds, an investor lends money to an entity (corporate or governmental). In return the entity pays the lender a fixed amount of interest. Bonds are issued for a defined period of time. Stocks: Stocks represent the original capital invested by the founders of the company. Later, stocks are divided into shares, having a certain face value. Now, there are two types of stocks, Common stock and Preferred stock. A common stock carries voting rights where as a preferred stock typically does not carry voting rights. Using these two instruments, a company can raise any amount of money to finance its assets. A company, since has many means of financing its assets, it also has a number of obligations to meet. A company usually splits its liabilities into short term (current liability) and long term. A liability must be settled through the payment of an asset in some time in future. A liability which is expected to be liquidated with in a companys operating cycle or one year is called short term liability. Now, any other left over liability which is not expected to be paid in a year are termed as long term liability. ( Bragg.M. Steven., The ultimate accountants reference, 2nd edition, 2006)

History Is Only What Someone Wrote Down - 1528 Words

A. Whitney Brown once said, â€Å"The past actually happened but history is only what someone wrote down†. From the very beginning of time mankind has looked for ways to pass down their ideas, beliefs, dreams, hopes, values and their understanding of the world around them to the future generations. This need to be remembered led to storytelling. Eventually someone decided to preserve those stories permanently by writing them down. Not too long after the invention of writing came the development and sophistication process of civilization, society and government. By introducing the art of writing, humanity forever altered what would come to be considered â€Å"history†. This is especially true in the case of ancient civilizations. The little information concerning them that is still available to us is in the form of the written word; ancient texts from their respective time periods. Historians have studied these texts and have come to realize a lot about what some of the ancient societies valued and believed. Humanities past is littered with assigned labels and roles according to one’s gender, color and social standing and these ancestral societies were no different. They left lasting legacies with their assigned roles especially in the case of women. One would be mistaken though, in thinking that all ancient societies viewed women’s roles in the same light. â€Å"The Epic of Gilgamesh†, â€Å"Hammurabi’s Code† and â€Å"Assyrian Law† shows that the ancient Mesopotamians, Babylonians and Assyrians allShow MoreRelatedWhat Are We Supposed To Know? The Depiction of a Controversial Character and the Accuracy of a Historical Story972 Words   |  4 Pageslikely to see.† Winston Churchill seems to be saying, that if you don’t understand what happened in the past, you cannot help yourself in the future. William Shakespeare’s depiction of Julius Caesar is very controversial. 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An American is everything beautiful. When I think of America I can’t help but think of the song by Katharine Bates, â€Å"America! America! God shed his grace on thee And crown the good with brotherhood From sea to shining seaRead MoreKarl Marx s Theory Of The Classical Era1699 Words   |  7 Pagesprogressed through class struggle. Where there was this conflict between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie social classes. The proletariat being any person who is a member of the working class and has no other choice than to work for someone else. The bourgeoisie being someone who makes their money from the surplus of goods or by the labors of others. He believed the bourgeoisie class exploits the proletariat class. This struggle Marx’s writes about and believes in leads to his hatred of the idea of capitalismRead MoreNathaniel Hawthorne and His Projected Self in the Scarlett Letter970 Words   |  4 Pagesall over. In fact, I just read it for my history class. 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radio news Essay Example For Students

radio news Essay Radio News SpeechGood morning, Sioux City. This is Adam Lewis and you are tuned to KLR on this delightful March 3rd for all your news so youll know whats going on. This story coming right out of good old Sioux City. Eleven businesses in a strip mall on Gordon Drive are all wet after a water main burst early Wednesday morning. Water and mud spewed from the break in the main and into businesses at Sioux Citys Gordon plaza. We walked in to open the store, said Beverly Gonzalez, Dollar etc. manager, and there was mud and water all over.Water began leaking overnight from a fire water main beneath this utility building. The first reaction was one of surprise, of course, said Roan Gruis, Little Chicago Deli Manager, The owner got here at four oclock and the water was running out the front and back doors.When the water drained, the stores were left with a quarter-inch of mud to cleanup. Half of the affected businesses reopened by mid-afternoon. Theres no word yet on what caused the water main to break. And now for your State news.. An Urbandale man whose girlfriend called police after she recognized his face in a surveillance photograph was sentenced Friday to 20 years in federal prison for seven bank robberies. Richard Matzke, 58, was arrested in March 2002 as a suspect in more than 24 bank robberies in several states. He was convicted of seven Nebraska heists and was sentenced Friday in Omaha. Several robbery witnesses described a man who roughly fit Matzkes physical description, but none provided authorities with the license number of a getaway car. Matzkes arrest last year came after his fiance tipped off police. Kim Ford called police to say she recognized him in a surveillance photo published in The Des Moines Register from an Illinois robbery in February. Matzkes criminal history includes 11 drunken-driving convictions, a 1993 bank robbery conviction and a decades-old escape charge. We are going to take a short commercial break now, but when we return we will take a look at national news, and then your Sports and weather. Stay tuned. Play CommercialAnd.were back to take a look at some more newsAnd now this disturbing story coming out of Columbus, Ohio. Thats right, and they arent just taking dogs off the streets or from the pounds, their henchmen are stilling pooches right from their own yards. Its an alarming practice, but it makes good business sense, says one expert. Mongrels from the streets are too lean. But Fido from a backyard is almost guaranteed to be fat and healthy. Rumors first began to surface more than two years ago when a rise of dog napping corresponded with a rise of business at a neighborhood Fast Burgers. Similar reports have been made nation wide. Its really out of hand. In some cases, heart broken owners are eating their own dogs, reports one Fast Burgers employee. Sue Longhorn claims that her yellow retriever purebred met with such a fate. One day when I came home from work, buttons wasnt there to greet me. I looked in all the pounds and called all the neighbors. Nobody saw anything. Then I heard reports of similar dog disappearances, and peoples suspicions. Thats when I knew what had happened. This is obviously a nation wide concern, and itll make a lot for this barbaric practice to be stopped. But I believe if we all work together, we can do it, Sue insists. Dogs may not be the only targeted animal. Any domesticated animal is fair game, because they are the healthy fat ones. Businesses will do what they have to do, especially with the price of beef steadily climbing, one expert points out. Does this mean our animals are doomed? Not if you take the proper precautions. Be careful who baby-sits and walks your dog, and be sure your dog is safe in your back yard, Sue instructs. And now lets take a look at your sports for today. .u15fca9bce19b4626c9d715d8fa15a7c7 , .u15fca9bce19b4626c9d715d8fa15a7c7 .postImageUrl , .u15fca9bce19b4626c9d715d8fa15a7c7 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u15fca9bce19b4626c9d715d8fa15a7c7 , .u15fca9bce19b4626c9d715d8fa15a7c7:hover , .u15fca9bce19b4626c9d715d8fa15a7c7:visited , .u15fca9bce19b4626c9d715d8fa15a7c7:active { border:0!important; } .u15fca9bce19b4626c9d715d8fa15a7c7 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u15fca9bce19b4626c9d715d8fa15a7c7 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u15fca9bce19b4626c9d715d8fa15a7c7:active , .u15fca9bce19b4626c9d715d8fa15a7c7:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u15fca9bce19b4626c9d715d8fa15a7c7 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u15fca9bce19b4626c9d715d8fa15a7c7 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u15fca9bce19b4626c9d715d8fa15a7c7 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u15fca9bce19b4626c9d715d8fa15a7c7 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u15fca9bce19b4626c9d715d8fa15a7c7:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u15fca9bce19b4626c9d715d8fa15a7c7 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u15fca9bce19b4626c9d715d8fa15a7c7 .u15fca9bce19b4626c9d715d8fa15a7c7-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u15fca9bce19b4626c9d715d8fa15a7c7:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Homeless Essay Salim Stoudamire scored 18 pts and No. 1 Arizona clinched the PAC. 10 title for the 10th time in coach Lute Olsens 20 year tenure, beating No. 19 Stanford 72-69 on Saturday. Josh Childress had 20 pts and 10 rebounds

The Case of the Bambus Essay Example

The Case of the Bambus Paper The Case of the Bambus The Story of the Gambus and its Evolution Yap Yuan Li Ben U0921231H AAI481 Studies in Malay Music Nanyang Technological University The Story of the Gambus and its Evolution Introduction The gambus is an omnipresent and most commonly found lute instrument in the various styles of Malay folk music. It is usually made from wood and is formed almost like a guitar but with 9 to 12 wire strings compared to the guitar’s 6 to 12 strings. There are two types of gambus, namely Gambus Melayu which is the Malay gambus and Gambus Hadhramaut which is the Arabian gambus. Both of them originate from similar backgrounds with the Gambus Melayu a modification of the Gambus Hadhramaut. Today, the gambus is recognised as a national musical instrument of Malaysia and a symbol of Malay traditional music identity (Hilarian, 2006). We will explore further in this essay the origins and evolution of gambus and its role in the Malay musical genre of zapin, hamdolok and ghazal. Gambus Melayu The slimmer and smaller pear-shaped gambus Melayu is comparable to the Yemeni qanbus. Its uniqueness is in its ornamented sickle-shaped carved pegbox that has emblems engraved into it (Hilarian, 2003). Its body is made from jackfruit tree wood and it has a goat skin belly. The strings in gambus Melayu is attached and tuned precisely similar to gambus Hadramaut (Nik Mustapha, 1998). The gambus Melayu is frequently used in Zapin and Hamdolok performances in Johor (Matusky, 1985 as cited by Ang, 2005). The sounds of the gambus Melayu can also be heard in Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak, Indonesia and Brunei (Hilarian 2006). Gambus Hadhramaut The arched-back, pear-shaped Gambus Hadhramaut is quite similar to the classical Arabian ‘ud (Hilarian, 2003). It is made from a combination of ight wood like red meranti, a type of construction timber and durian belanda. The gambus Hadramaut does not have frets and the strings are plucked and attached in double course except the 11th string. The strings are tuned in perfect 4ths beginning from the highest string from the middle C (Ang, 2005). The Transition of the Gambus from Arab to Malay Culture Studies done by Hilarian (2003, 2007) theorized t hat in the 9th century, Muslim Persian conquerors and traders brought the barbat, an early form of lute instrument, into the Malay Archipelago during their migration to Southeast Asia for entertainment purposes (Sachs, 1940). We will write a custom essay sample on The Case of the Bambus specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Case of the Bambus specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Case of the Bambus specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer This is supported by Alatas (1985) who claimed that many Persians and Indians traded in the rich port of Klang, Selangor. The barbat was then modified by Arabs in Mecca to ‘ud and qanbus in Yemen which explains why the gambus bears a striking similarity to barbat, ‘ud and qanbus (During, 1984) down to the tuning in perfect 4ths (Lambert, 1997). In the 16th century, Portugese traders introduced folk music, plucked and bowed stringed instruments to the people of Malacca. However they did not directly influence the introduction of the gambus to the Malay world. The African, Indian and Moorish slaves present at that time integrated their influences of music together with the portugese instruments and created a fusion of music styles that included dondang saying and joget ronggang (Kartomi, 1997). Between the 17th and 18th century, the close ties amongst Johor, Riau and Aceh states via trade, commerce and inter-marriages provided a permeable barrier for gambus to enter the Malay world. Between the 19th and 20th century, the opening of Suez Canal expedited sea journeys from the Middle-East to the Malay world. Many Arabs settled in Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia from Hadhramaut (Yemen) bringing along the ‘ud (Alatas, 1997). Consequently, the eminence of gambus Hadhramaut succeeded the gambus Melayu in the late 19th or early 20th century in Peninsular Malaysia. The patronage of gambus by Malay rulers, spread of Islam and the cultural convergence of people facilitated dissemination and modification of the gambus throughout the Malay world (Hilarian, 2006). Uses and Evolution of Gambus Both types of gambus are interchangeable and only one is played during a Malay ensemble performance like zapin, hamdolok and ghazal. They are usually the lead melodic instrument for these ensembles and are essential because the sound of gambus is linked to Islam and carries the essence of the Malay vibe. For example, gambus is played in Islamic singing and in taksim (solo performances) during Islamic events like Hari Raya Puasa and Haji. Moreover, the use of gambus associates the ensembles with particular genres of Malay traditional music (Hilarian, 2003, 2007). Zapin Zapin is a form of traditional dance complemented with music by rhythmic characteristics and singing. It uses the voice, the gambus, violin, harmonium, accordion, marwas and dok (Ang, 2005). Anis (1993) asserted that zapin originated from Hadhramaut and is maintained in Malaysia in its original form, named zapin Arab and as a modified form, named zapin Melayu. The zapin Melayu in Johor today is a product of intermarriage of the Arab and Malay cultures literally with modifications by the Malay community over time (Hilarian, 2003). Zapin songs reflect a blending of Malay and Islamic influences. Zapin Melayu has evolved from a group dance of solely males in zapin Arab to that of two separate rows of male and females. Adhering to the Islamic influence, the sexes do not touch during the dance. The entire zapin Melayu repertoire also reflects the love of the Malays for nature. The dance moves are inspired by chickens and fish and interpreted in stylistic refined movements including small graceful jumps. For instance, like a chicken with a broken leg (ragam anak ayam patah) or fish wriggling on mudflats. The men and women dance without shoes and adorn themselves in traditional Malay apparels. The sarong is not tied but held throughout the performance reflecting the past Malay women culture in attempts to protect their modesty. Md. Anis (1993) however is concerned with the recent situation of zapin. He argues that any changes to zapin or any other Malay genres for that matter must be sensitive to its past and values. Historically, zapin Melayu was meant for play and family entertainment. Now, with it being showcased in performances, the dance moves are exaggerated and the production glamorized with special effects. He frowns upon modern choreographs where females raise their arms too high thereby revealing parts of their arms. In addition, the attention of Malay performances today seem to focus more on fanciful costumes, superseding the beauty of the simple dance. The sarong is also hitched exposing the calves and knees, hence clashing with the original modest values of zapin. Hamdolok Hamdolok is a traditional dance theatre performance found in Johor, originating from the Middle East. It is performed during weddings and includes zapin and inang dance forms too. Instruments used include the tambourine, maracas, conga drums and gambus Melayu (Asmad 1990). Today, the use of gambus Melayu sadly remains only in hamdolok. Ghazal Ghazal, a popular music genre in Johor, is formed from the fusion of elements from two or cultures and a modification of the shared features as aforementioned of the mix between various ethnic music influences. The word ghazal in Arabic means poetry of love and it aims to serenade. The ghazal originated from India and arrived in Johor from Riau-Lingga before 1870s. Songs were formally sung in Hindi are supplemented by the sharinggi, sitar, tabla and harmonium (Ang, 2005). In Johor, ghazal has evolved. Johor players substituted the original sitar with the violin and sharinggi with gambus Melayu initially, and then with ghazal Hadramaut subsequently. Songs are now sung in Malay but still mirror its Hindustani and Persian influences prominently. The song titles are also uniquely Malay because they are written about nature and love. For instance, songs were written about the full moon and â€Å"Pak Ngah balik† meaning Pak Ngah has returned. Today, modern ghazal groups also include instruments like mandolin, guitar, flute, Japanese drum and ukulele (Mohd Ishak, 1978, as cited by Ang, 2005). Is The Gambus Gaining Popularity? 18-year-old Fauziah Suhaili from Sabah, Malaysia who recently won the Gambus Fest Female Solo performance competition faced a mountain of challenges from the start. She had to gain approval from her elders as well as earn that trust to play the gambus. Fortunately, she has received much support from the gambus community in Sabah which enabled her to achieve so much (Fauziah, n. . ). However, especially in the states of Kelantan and Trengganu, these success stories are not as prevalent with the number of gambus female players dwindling. In 1950s, numerous female players in Johor contributed significantly to the music. However, in present times, women are limited to singing in traditional musical ensembles. Similarly, in Brunei, women are discouraged to play the gambus over the last 25 years. The school of Islamic practice in Brunei also generally dissuades women from playing music or performing with men. Other than Fauziah Suhaili, it appears that our generation of youths are not interested in traditional Malay music like ghazal because of widespread dissemination of popular Western culture into the traditional music space (Hilarian, 2007). Conclusion Gambus in zapin, hamdolok and ghazal has evolved innovatively through the decades and is now an expression of Malay culture. The residual distinctive characters from its original forms are clearly evident but the profound changes allow it to be proudly called a symbol of the Malay traditional and contemporary music distinctiveness. However, traditional Malay music has not received much support from the media, especially in Singapore unlike other styles like Chinese and Indian music which has deep roots locally and are always portrayed in media for awareness. The dominance of Western music, ideals and pop culture has intruded into the Singapore’s Malay community, infringing the space of traditional Malay Music. It will be a disaster if this dying art gets killed off in our generation and that beautiful traditional Malay music we take for granted so easily would be only a myth for our future generations. Much support and efforts by the younger and older generation are needed in tandem with the media and government funding to revive this dying treasure back to its glory days. References i) Alatas, S. F. (1985). Notes on Various Theories Regarding the Islamization of the Malay Archipelago. Muslim World, 75, No. 3-4, 162-175. ii) Ang, M. K. (2005). Musical Malaysia. Retrieved October 28, 2009, from http://www. musicmall-asia. com/minni/index. html iii) During, J. (1984). In S. S. (Ed. ). The New Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments. London: Macmillan Publishers Limited. v) Fauziah Suhailah/ Gambus (n. d. ). Fauziah Gambus. Retrieved October 28, 2009 from http://fauziahgambus. synthasite. com/ v) Hilarian, L. F. (2003). Gambus (lutes) of the Malay World- Its Origins and Significance in Zapin Music. Presentation of paper at A Symposium in Memory of John Blacking, 12-14 July 2003, University of Western Australia. vi) Hilarian, L. F. (2006). The Folk Lute (Gambus), and its Symbolic Expre ssion in Malay Muslim Culture. Institute of Lithuanian Literature and Folklore Studies XXXII. vii) Hilarian, L. F. (2007). The Migration of Lute-Type Instruments to The Malay-Muslim World. Presentation of paper at the Conference of Music in The World of Islam, 8-13 August 2007, Assilah. viii) Kartomi, Margaret J. (1984) . Gambus.. The New Groves Dictionary of Musical Instruments, (ed. ) Stanley Sadie, London: Macmillan, No. 2, 9-10. ix) Lambert, J. (1997. La medecine de l. ame, Hommes et Musiques. Paris: Societe d. ethnologie, France x) Matusky, P. (1982). Music from Malaysia. Resound. I/4: 1-2. xi) Matusky, P. (1982). Musical Instruments and Musicians of the Malay Shadow Puppet Theater. Journal of the American Musical Instrument Society. VIII(1982): 38-68. ii) Mohd. Anis Md. Nor. (1993). Zapin-Folk Dance of the Malay World. London: Oxford University Press. xiii) Mohd Ishak Abdul Aziz. (1978). Ghazal. Kuala Lumpur: Kementerian Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan. xiv) Nik Mustapha Nik Mohd. Salleh (1998). Alat Muzik Tradisional Dalam Masyarakat Melayu Di Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: Kementerian kebudayaan, Kesenian dan Pelancongan Malaysia. xv) Pickens, L. (1975) Folk Musical Ins truments of Turkey. London: Oxford University Press. xvi) Sachs, C. (1940). The History of Musical Instruments. New York: W. W. Norton and Company, Inc. Publishers.