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Gamelan

The clanging rhythm of Indonesia

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A percussive, sometimes noisy sound filled with xylophones, gongs and drums often fills the air in Indonesian towns. This is the sound of a gamelan orchestra, of which there are many varieties, but which generally feature several different gongs, bells, cymbals, drums, and even flutes. The warm, clanging music is used in celebrations and for more reverent religious purposes.

Historically Indonesian

There is evidence of gamelan music as far back as the eighth century, although it wasn't until the fourteenth century that it began taking the form still known today, with the addition of gongs and xylophones. The music has become the defining music of Indonesia (the term gamelan originally meant all Indonesian music), and is in fact popular throughout southeast Asia.

Many instruments

The instruments used in a gamelan orchestra are varied, and are made from many different materials. Some of the most common pieces are:

  • Gongs
    Either large, hanging gongs, or smaller, horizontally arranged gongs are made of brass, iron or bronze.

  • Xylophones
    Made of wood, metal or bamboo, these provide much of the "middle" part of gamelan music, a kind of lower, melodic base for the higher instruments to add color on top of.

  • Drums
    There are several sizes of khendang drums, which are made of buffalo or goat skin.

  • Zithers, flutes, voices
    Sub-varieties of gamelan music include these instruments, sometimes even excluding traditional gongs and percussion.

Two styles

Generally, gamelan is split into two types: Balinese and Javanese.

Balinese gamelan
This style usually has a faster tempo, and a brighter sound to the instruments. There are fewer gongs than in the Javanese style.

Javanese gamelan
A newer type of gamelan more common among the Islamic community, which comprises most of Indonesia outside of Bali.

In tune with each other

Interestingly, gamelan orchestras are single units. The instruments are tuned not only to themselves, but to each other. Because of this, an instrument from one ensemble can not be played with another ensemble. Furthermore, each instrument is said to house a spirit, and part of the musician's job is to nurture and respect that spirit.

Gamelan music is varied, but always warm and enjoyable. A common sound in Indonesia, it is a very distinct type of music and one of the most well-known and well-liked kinds of traditional music in the world.

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