gamelan & angklung
Gamelan is a traditional Indonesian ensemble music form that originates from the islands of Java and Bali. It is characterized by its rich, layered textures created through the interplay of various percussive instruments. The term "gamelan" is derived from the Javanese word "gamel," meaning to strike or hammer, reflecting the predominant use of struck instruments in the ensemble.
Historical Background
The exact origins of gamelan are not precisely documented, but it is believed to have developed over centuries, with influences dating back to the Dongson culture's bronze kettle drums from present-day Vietnam around the third or second century BCE.
Javanese mythology attributes the creation of gamelan to the god Sang Hyang Guru, who, according to legend, ruled from the summit of Mount Lawu in Central Java. He is said to have created the gong to summon other deities, eventually developing a set of instruments to convey more complex messages.
Instruments in Gamelan
A gamelan ensemble comprises a variety of instruments, primarily made of metal, wood, and bamboo. Key instruments include:
Metallophones: These are instruments with tuned metal bars that are struck with mallets, producing the core melodies. Examples include the saron and gender.
Gongs: Suspended vertically or placed horizontally, gongs like the gong ageng and kempul provide punctuating sounds that mark the musical structure.
Kettle Gongs: Known as bonang, these are sets of small gongs placed horizontally on strings in a wooden frame, played with padded sticks.
Drums (Kendang): These two-headed drums lead the ensemble by controlling tempo and signaling transitions. They are played with hands and are central to the rhythm.
Plucked Strings: Instruments like the siter and celempung, zither-like instruments, add melodic elaboration.
Bamboo Flutes (Suling) and Bowed Strings (Rebab): These instruments provide melodic lines that float over the percussive textures.
Scales and Tuning
Gamelan music utilizes two primary tuning systems:
Slendro: A five-note scale with roughly equidistant intervals.
Pelog: A seven-note scale with varying intervals, from which five principal tones are often selected for a composition.
Each gamelan ensemble is uniquely tuned, meaning instruments are not interchangeable between different ensembles.
Cultural Significance
Gamelan holds profound cultural importance in Indonesia. It is integral to various ceremonies, rituals, and art forms, including dance and wayang puppet performances. The ensemble's music is deeply intertwined with Indonesian identity and spirituality. In recognition of its cultural value, UNESCO inscribed gamelan on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on December 15, 2021.
Wikipedia
Influence on Modern Music
Beyond its traditional roots, gamelan has influenced contemporary music genres globally. Artists in electronic music have drawn inspiration from gamelan's intricate rhythms and layered textures. For instance, British duo Plaid collaborated with Balinese gamelan group Gamelan Dharma Swara, blending traditional sounds with electronic elements. Similarly, artists like Björk have incorporated gamelan-inspired instruments into their compositions, showcasing the ensemble's versatility and enduring appeal.
angklung
Angklung is a traditional Indonesian musical instrument crafted from bamboo, originating from the Sundanese people of West Java. It comprises two to four bamboo tubes attached to a bamboo frame, bound with rattan cords. Each tube is meticulously carved to produce a specific pitch when the frame is shaken, resulting in a resonant sound unique to the angklung. Since each instrument produces only one note or chord, ensemble performances require collaboration, with each musician responsible for different notes to create complete melodies.
Traditionally, angklung was used in ceremonies related to rice planting, harvests, and other communal rituals, symbolizing the agrarian spirit of Indonesian communities. In 1938, musician Daeng Soetigna introduced the diatonic scale to angklung, expanding its musical versatility and enabling it to perform a wider range of songs, including those from Western genres.
In recognition of its cultural significance, UNESCO inscribed the angklung on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010. This acknowledgment underscores the instrument's role in promoting cooperation, discipline, and artistic expression within communities.
