Javanese GamelanMusic and Instruments

This is Gamelan Sulukala, Built for Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont, USA. by

Suhirdjan, Gamelan Builder and Tuner - Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Javanese GamelanGamelan music is composed by the layering of simple melody lines or rhythm patterns. There are five categories in this polyphonic stratification: • 1. “Nuclear” Theme

2. Elaboration3. Punctuation4. Counter-Melody5. Rhythm

Gamelan Instruments1.“Nuclear” Theme

2.Elaboration

3.Punctuation

4.Counter melody

5.Rhythm

Gamelan Music Structure

PunctuatinPunctuatingg

PunctuatinPunctuatingg

GongGong

GongGongGongGongGongGong

Gamelan Music Structure

The Gamelan tradition says that the music is always going on (a.k.a.

Cosmic Radio) and the instruments simply make it audible to us. The

music “starts” with the last note and traditionally ends after the audience leaves to signify that it continues...

Playing techniquePlaying technique

Examples

Playing techniquePlaying technique

Udan Mas - “Golden Rain”

Javanese GamelanMusic and Instruments