2. Origins and instruments Bali and Java in Indonesia “gamelan” refers to the collection of instruments used, most of which are tuned GONGS in various shapes and sizes. Some suspended, while others are bowl shaped and sit in frames. METALLOPHONES – xylophones with metal keys. Balinese gamelan they are tuned in pairs (one higher than the other, creating slight clashes in tuning) DRUMS – barrel-shaped and double-headed. Both ends are struck with hands (occasionally beaters)
3. Other instruments Bamboo flutes Bowed strings (sometimes playing in microtones) Plucked Zithers Wooden xylophones Voices Gamelan instruments are made in SETS and designed to be used together. Each gamelan has different tone qualities and tuning from the other. Instruments tuned to a pentatonic scale called SLENDRO (equally spaced within the octave) Less common is PELOG (7 notes, rising in unequal steps)
4. Players etc Each group can be between five and 50 players but usually there are between 10-20. Can be indoor, outdoor, court music for special occasions or in more informal settings Indonesian Gamelan is a staple accompaniment to puppet shows (long complex dramas) All instruments generally of equal importance although some more complex than others No notation or conductors – use of aural signals Drummer usually leads with careful eye on dancers – changes of tempo, volume, shift into new piece Other players also give similar aural signals – everyone expected to learn each instrument
5. MUSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Carefully organised and structured: developed out of single, short melodic idea but played at different note lengths and speeds… HETEROPHONY Melody: short and repeated on mid-range metallphones (medium tempo) Same melody taken up by other players but different speeds, decorations etc Structure: defined by large gongs – cycle ending with a note on the large gong. Last beat accented by all players. Overall structure varies, depends on the occasion – drummer leads.
6. Mood: sometimes slow and quiet (meditative, characteristic of West Java) Might enter one at a time, or all at once
