Indonesia: Javanese Gamelan Indonesia: Javanese Gamelan MusicMusic

Gamelan Outreach ProjectGamelan Outreach Project

Center for South East Asian StudiesCenter for South East Asian Studies

University of MichiganUniversity of Michigan

Prepared by: Dr. Vera H. FlaigPrepared by: Dr. Vera H. Flaig

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

IndonesiaIndonesia Consists of a archepeligo of several thousand islands Consists of a archepeligo of several thousand islands

of which Java is the largest.of which Java is the largest. During colonial times Indonesia was known as the During colonial times Indonesia was known as the

Dutch East IndiesDutch East Indies Consists of many diverse languages and cultures.Consists of many diverse languages and cultures. The development of a common national language The development of a common national language

“Indonesian” made it possible to build the unity “Indonesian” made it possible to build the unity needed to win the revolution against the Dutchneeded to win the revolution against the Dutch(1945-1949).(1945-1949).

Major religions include: Hindu/Buddhism; Islam; and Major religions include: Hindu/Buddhism; Islam; and Christianity.Christianity.

Gamelan Tuning and ModesGamelan Tuning and Modes

Laras (tuning system)Laras (tuning system)Slendro: a five-note (pentatonic) tuningSlendro: a five-note (pentatonic) tuningPPéélog: a seven-note tuninglog: a seven-note tuning

Pathet (Modes)*Pathet (Modes)*Slendro Nem Slendro Nem PPéélog Nemlog NemSlendro SangaSlendro Sanga PPéélog Limalog LimaSlendro Manyura Slendro Manyura PPéélog Baranglog Barang

*Modes correspond to Wayang Kulit performance: *Modes correspond to Wayang Kulit performance: Nem from 9:00 PM to Midnight; Nem from 9:00 PM to Midnight; Sanga from Midnight to 3:00 AM; Sanga from Midnight to 3:00 AM; Manyura from 3:00 AM to 6:00 AM.Manyura from 3:00 AM to 6:00 AM.

Gamelan Musical StructureGamelan Musical Structure

Colotomic Structure: based upon a circular perception Colotomic Structure: based upon a circular perception of time.of time.

Reflects the persistence of Hindu-Buddhist Reflects the persistence of Hindu-Buddhist conceptions of time introduced to Java during the conceptions of time introduced to Java during the first millennium C.E.first millennium C.E.

All instruments in the gamelan must play important All instruments in the gamelan must play important structural or “auspicious” notes together. These structural or “auspicious” notes together. These “coincidences” carry important meaning in Javanese “coincidences” carry important meaning in Javanese culture.culture.

Gamelan Musical StructureGamelan Musical StructureThe sounding of the The sounding of the gong agunggong agung with the with the

kenongkenong marks the musical instance of the marks the musical instance of the greatest weight or importance. It is at this greatest weight or importance. It is at this point that the point that the gendhinggendhing may begin or end. may begin or end.

Lesser points of coincidence also exist (listed Lesser points of coincidence also exist (listed in order of importance):in order of importance):

KenongKenong stroke strokekethukkethuk stroke strokeKempulKempul stroke stroke

Gamelan TextureGamelan Texture

Three layersThree layers::

StructuralStructural: gong and kenong as well as : gong and kenong as well as kethuk/kempyang kethuk/kempyang

Balungan: Balungan: basic melodic contentbasic melodic content

Elaboration: Elaboration: realizes “inner melody”realizes “inner melody”

Sarons: Balungan InstrumentsSarons: Balungan Instruments

Demung

Saron BarungSaron Panarus or “Peking”

Punctuating InstrumentsPunctuating Instruments

Gong Agung & Siyem

Kenong

Kempul

Punctuating and Time Keeping Punctuating and Time Keeping InstrumentsInstruments

Kethuk Kempyang

Kendhang

(Played bythe conductor of the gamelanOrchestra)

Elaborating Instruments: Melodic Elaborating Instruments: Melodic Leaders of the GamelanLeaders of the Gamelan

Bonang Barung and Bonang Panarus

Rebab

““Soft-Style” Elaborating InstrumentsSoft-Style” Elaborating Instruments

Gambang

Gender (three tunings)

Four Sulings (different tunings)

Lancaran bubaran Kembang Pacar, laras pélog pathet nem

Balungan Level: Sarons

Lancaran bubaran Kembang Pacar, IRAMA Level: Bonang Barung

Lancaran bubaran Kembang Pacar, IRAMA Level: Bonang Panarus