Javanese Gamelan

Buka: Introduction to a
composition
-

played on the Bonang

Barung

Balinese Gamelan
Angsel: Sudden starts and stops in
music
Kotekan:
-

Terms

Balungan: The basic melody from

which the structure of the gamelan
piece is built. Relatively simple and
unornamented
-

Pokok: Main melody

Played by the Slenthem

Instruments tuned to both pelog

(7-tone) and slendro (5-tone)

Characterist Sedate and gentle

ics
Less dramatic changes
Simple rhythms with simple
interlocking
Metallophon Play the balungan and its
es
variations
1. Saron:
Similar to a xylophone with thick,
6-7 heavy metal keys mounted on
a low wooden frame.
-

Interlocking playing
which is fast and
virtuosic.
Distinguishing feature where
different groups of players
play different short
melodic/rhythmic patters
simultaneously, to create a
complete musical phrase

Demung, Barung, Panerus

2. Gender:
Thin metal keys, suspended over a

Tuned to pelog, Instruments tuned

in pairs to create a acoustic
beating and a shimmering effect
Faster and more brilliant
More dramatic greater dynamic
range and sudden starts/stops
(Angsel)
Fast interlocking rhythms
Gender family:
Metallophones consisting of broad
metal keys suspended over
resonating tubes, struck with
wooden mallets to create a
bright, percussive, resonant
sound.
Larger, lower pitched play
abstract versions of pokok, while
higher pitched play elaborated
versions

tube resonator, Struck with padded

disc beater
-

Slenthem, Barung, Panerus

Right hand grips mallet, left hand

dampens

Instruments come in pairs, one

slightly lower than the other.
When same notes played
simultaneously, Shimmering Effect
is created
1. Jegogan:
Lowest, play most important notes
of pokok
2. Jublag/Calung:
Play most basic form of pokok
3. Gangsa
Use hard wooden mallets,
producing a much brighter,
metallic timber
-

Punctuation + Melodic Elaboration

Hanging Gongs: Suspended and
played with round padded beaters
1. Gong Ageng: Marks end of
each gong cycle
2. Kempul: For Punctuation
Cradled Gongs: Rested on Wooden
Frames
Gongs

Kenong: Punctuation
Kempyang: Punctuation
Kethuk: Time Keeper

Cradled Gongs:

Ugal (leader), Pemade,

Kantil

Timekeeper + Interlocking
Kotekan
Gong Chimes
1. Kempli: Timekeeper that
marks pulse
Small horizontal kettle gong
suspended over wooden frame
2. Reyong: Plays
interlocking kotekan
parts similar to Gangsa,
sweet, lulling sound
Small horizontal gongs (12)
suspended over wooden frame

Bonang: Melodic Elaboration

From start of extract
A set of 10,12 or 14 kettle gongs
resting horizontally in 2 parallel
rows in a wooden frames, played
with stick beaters
Drums

Cue the Orchestra, Indicate Tempo/Direct Tempo Changes, Start and

stops the piece

KENDHANG: Ketipung, Ciblon, Gending, Bedug

Barrel drum with one end larger than the other, goatskin or buffalo
Bali: 2 drummers play interlocking parts
Other
Melodic
Instruments

Play melodic line that weaves

around the basic melody
1. Celempung/Siter:
14-string zither with strings
stretched across a bow shaped
wooden structure, plucked with
thumbnails
2. Rebab:
2 string bowed fiddle with almost
heart shaped body, made of wood
3. Suling:
- Provides expressive lines in
Gamelan with shorter and
disjointed musical phrases
End-blown bamboo flute
4. VOICE
Female Solo: Pesindhen
Male Chorus: Gerong

Ceng-ceng: Play steady tempo

and add excitement to music
4/5 horizontally mounted cymbals,
each pair differs in diameter thus
creating different pitches
Voice absent in Bali!!