Gamelan degung http://www.emusic.com/album/10595/10595936.html

Gamelan degung

Known since 5th-6th century,

Developed by Sundanese tribe , who lives in western part of Java around 18th century.

Degung = “Agung “ -> English : grand, glorious

Gamelan = An ensemble of tuned music instruments made by iron/bronze , played in a group

Played for rituals ceremony such as ; wedding, celebration of harvest, social/community events and performance.

Gamelan degung

Then

Commonly played by men

Only a few music instruments

No singer

Only ceremonial events.

Now

Fashionable for women to played

More music instruments

Sometimes with female singer (“pesinden)

Open for public performance/ theatrical performance (singing, dancing, and puppet play)

Bonang

Functioned to accompanied melody

Double rows of gong chimes mounted on a frame

Played with two padded beaters

http://learningobjects.wesleyan.edu/vim/cgi-bin/instrument.cgi?id=33

Khendang

Played with bare hands Function as rhytem Played by hitting the

both sides with hands The skin made from

goat/buffalo

http://learningobjects.wesleyan.edu/vim/cgi-bin/instrument.cgi?id=32

Saronhttp://learningobjects.wesleyan.edu/vim/cgi-bin/instrument.cgi?id=21

Similar like xylophone Functioned as melody Consists of seven metal

bars placed on top of frame.

Sulinghttp://learningobjects.wesleyan.edu/vim/cgi-bin/instrument.cgi?id=5

Functioned as melody Bamboo ring flute There are four or six

holes

Kempul

Small type of gong Functioned as rhytem Played with padded

stick

http://learningobjects.wesleyan.edu/vim/cgi-bin/instrument.cgi?id=36

Rebab

Leading instruments in the ensemble

Made from cow bladder membrane

http://learningobjects.wesleyan.edu/vim/cgi-bin/instrument.cgi?id=31

Gamelan Degung influence on Western Music

Gamelan Puloganti , lectured and performed in University of London,Dept of Music

Burhan Sukarma IS now teaching classes in the performance of West Javanese Gamelan Degung in San Jose,California

Prof. David Goldswothy from University of England establised Gamelan Degung in Byron Shire community, Australia

Mike Oldfield adapted and used gamelan degung in his song “Nightshade”

Used in the some Europe prisons for part of inmates rehabilitation activities

Useful Links

Boston village Gamela http://home.comcast.net/~bvg/

Learn to Play gamelan from your computer! http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/makingtracks/gamelan.shtml

Thank you!