Javanese Gamelan

Javanese gamelan music is widely performed and heard in Java today; in live presentations, in radio broadcast, on cassette tapes and on TV. Instruments for the gamelan are predominantly metal, brass and iron are used, but bronze is preferred. The instrument makers are professionals who are traditionally highly regarded and associated with ritual and magic. Bronze instruments are not simply cast; they are also forged. The making of a large gong may take a month or more.

Because of the nature of gamelan music, it can be experienced within one session, but again mastery is achieved at the first level within 5-10 sessions, depending on the student's previous experience.

By the very nature of the music, beginners and advanced students of gamelan are entirely compatible since different techniques are learned on different instruments and progress is made by moving from one instrument to another. We focus on distinctly east Javanese music, but certain Central Javanese pieces are learned as well. Students are given the opportunity to perform as often as possible.

In Indonesian traditional thinking, the gamelan is sacred and is believed to have supernatural power. Both musician and non-musicians are humble and respectful to the gamelan. Incense and flowers are often offered to the gamelan. It is believed that each instrument in the gamelan is guided by spirits. Thus, the musician have to take off their shoes when they play the gamelan. It is also forbidden to step over any instrument in a gamelan, because it might offend the spirit by doing so. Some gamelan are believed to have so much powers that playing them may exert power over nature. Others may be touched only by persons who are ritually qualified. In Javanese gamelan, the most important instrument is the Gong Ageng. The Javanese musicians believe that Gong Ageng is the main spirit of the entire gamelan.

Each gamelan is slightly different from the other; however, they all have the same organization, which based on different instrumental groups with specific orchestral functions. The instruments in a gamelan are composed of sets of tuned bronze gongs, gong-chimes, metallophones, drums, one or more flute, bowed and plucked string instruments. Gamelan orchestras also feature a sinden or singer. In some village gamelan, bronze is sometimes replaced by iron, wood, or bamboo. The most popular gamelan can be found in Java, and Bali.

The word gamelan is derived from the low Javanese word gamel, meaning a kind of hammer, like those used by blacksmiths. True to its name, most of the instruments are made of beaten metal and are played with mallets. The ensembles can vary from small village groups comprised of a handful of instruments to the grand court emsembles with as many as 75 bronze instruments in addition to the rebabs, drums, and singers.

Gamelan originates from Indonesia but, as this is one of the most culturally diverse nations in the world, it is hardly surprising that there are many different types of gamelan ensemble. The gamelan offers a rich experience for all the senses. Beaten bronze instruments glow softly in frames of intricately carved wood. The honey-like smoothness of the tones and the intense rhythm intertwine to produce a mood that is at once tranquil and dynamic; the music’s complexity encourages meditation. A tradition with a long history, the gamelan still thrives as an art form today in Java, Bali, Madura, Surinam, and other areas influenced by Indonesian culture.