Gourt > Arts > Music > Styles > R > Regional and Ethnic > Gamelan (1)
A gamelan is a kind of musical ensemble of Indonesian origin typically featuring metallophones, xylophones, drums, and gongs. The term can be used to refer either to the set of instruments or the players of those instruments. The word "gamelan" comes from the Javanese word "gamel", meaning to strike or handle.
Instruments and characteristics
Gamelan orchestras are common to the Indonesian islands of Java, Madura, Bali, and Lombok (and other Sunda Islands), in a wide variety of ensemble sizes and formations. In Bali and Lombok today, and in Java through the 18th century, the term "gong" has been preferred to or synonymous with gamelan. Traditions of gamelan have long been established in the Philippines, Malaysia and Suriname due to emigration, trade, or diplomacy. More recently, through immigration and local enthusiasm, gamelan ensembles have become active throughout Europe, The Americas, Asia, and Australia.
Although gamelan ensembles sometimes include solo and choral voices, plucked and/or bowed string and wind instruments, they are most notable for the large number of metal percussion instruments. A central Javanese gamelan ensemble includes:
- metallophones, such as the saron, gendér, gangsa, and ugal (sets of metals bars laid out in a single row and struck like a glockenspiel)
- cradled gongs called bonang and kenong (sets of large, drum-shaped gongs laid out horizontally on stands)
- hanging gongs called kempul and a the large gong ageng
- xylophone-like instruments called gambang (similar to saron and gendér but with wooden bars instead of metal ones)
- drums called kendhang
McPhee, Colin Carhart :: M
Performing Arts :: Arts and Entertainment
@tourthewonder bulan desember kemungkinan ada event GAMELAN GAUL.tapi baru wacana..tunggu realisasinya aja..
emennrasmono (rindywidya rasmono) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:10:33 -0000
@tourthewonder bulan desember kemungkinan ada event GAMELAN GAUL.tapi baru wacana..tunggu realisasinya aja..
@bayudarujati ituloh salah satu alat gamelan
AlannaAlia (Alanna Alia) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:35:00 -0000
@bayudarujati ituloh salah satu alat gamelan
Oh good grief. I never thought I'd ever actually use Babiracki's gamelan information, but here I am writing about Indonesian xylophones.
leggomyoboe (TC Newhill-Leahy) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:42:34 -0000
Oh good grief. I never thought I'd ever actually use Babiracki's gamelan information, but here I am writing about Indonesian xylophones.
@janjinjun alah siah aqualung versi gamelan jawa ? JIGANA NGEUNAH ehh pengen owl city versi karawitan ada ga ? @iduidui
rifatsari (rifa atsari) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:37:17 -0000
@janjinjun alah siah aqualung versi gamelan jawa ? JIGANA NGEUNAH ehh pengen owl city versi karawitan ada ga ? @iduidui
new blog post: New Libraries: Handbells & Bowed Gamelan http://3.ly/5ee
timprebble (tim prebble) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:30:26 -0000
new blog post: New Libraries: Handbells & Bowed Gamelan http://3.ly/5ee
come on soniccouture let me have the tube drum AND the bowed gamelan! ...nevermind. I'll build a tube drum
wallofknives (Richard Bailey) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:12:49 -0000
come on soniccouture let me have the tube drum AND the bowed gamelan! ...nevermind. I'll build a tube drum
500
Beyond - A Los Angeles based ensemble presenting concert audio and video, gamelan introduction, history, instruments, scales, audio examples, overviews of Balinese and Javanese gamelan with audio samples, discussion forum, wayang information, and merchandise.
Balinese Gamelan Rhythms - Training exercises and MIDI files.
Meta Description: [ Balinese gamelan training exercises based on the book
'Ancient Traditions--Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India,' by Matthew Montfort, Ancient Future bandleader. Includes MIDI files of Balinese gamelan. ]
Central Javanese Gamelan - An introduction to the music with reviews of recommended recordings.
Explore the World of Gamelan - An introduction to the gamelan of Java and Bali with audio samples and photographs, origins and spread to other areas, comparisons with other music, instruments and ensembles, dictionary, and lists of gamelan CDs, books, and links. In French and English.
Meta Description: [ Découverte du gamelan, musique traditionnelle de Java, Bali... ]
Gamelan - Traditional musical instruments of Javanese gamelan, their meanings, and the gamelan sets of the royal palaces.
Meta Description: [ Gamelan - The Traditional Music Instrument in Yogyakarta and Central Java ]
Gamelan Anak Swarasanti - Balinese gamelan orchestra based in San Francisco. Schedule of upcoming performances, slide shows of past performances, discography with audio samples, player profiles, and articles.
Meta Description: [ Gamelan Anak Swarasanti is an award-winning Balinese gamelan orchestra that performs throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. ]
Gamelan in Australia and New Zealand - Profiles of gamelan groups, recordings, courses, mailing list, and links.
Meta Description: [ A central clearing-house for information
about gamelan in Australia and New Zealand. ]
Gamelan Mitra Kusuma - A Balinese gamelan based in Washington, DC, presents information on the instruments, audio samples, performance schedule, classes, and a mailing list.
Gamelan Semara Santi of Swarthmore College - Information about gamelan in general, including audio clips, and about Swarthmore's gamelan program and how to join.
Gamelan Sinar Surya (Santa Barbara) - A Santa Barbara-based organization dedicated to preservation, teaching and performing traditional Gamelan music of Indonesia and Malaysia. Photo gallery and mp3 samples from their first CD.
Meta Description: [ Gamelan Sinar Surya is a Santa Barbara-based organization dedicated to preservation, teaching and performing traditional Gamelan music of Indonesia and Malaysia. Classes, performances and CD's available. ]
Gamelan-L Mailing List - This list is for anyone with a scholarly, artistic, or practical interest in gamelan. Archives available.
Gendhing Jawa - Javanese Gamelan notation [PDF].
Monkey C - Experimental gamelan band from Santa Barbara, California present virtual gamelan instruments, audio samples, band and instrument profiles, and links.
Meta Description: [ Monkey C, the experimental gamelan ensemble that dares to cast off the suffocation of tradition and do its own thing. ]
One People Voice - One People Voice, based in Oakland, CA, is a hybrid processional orchestra and chant ensemble, utilizing gongs and drums from Bali which are interwoven with other world and western instruments. Includes information on their kids program, workshop schedule, guestbook, and photo gallery.
Meta Description: [ One People Voice, based in Oakland, CA, is a hybrid processional orchestra and chant ensemble. With roots in the Balinese baleganjur, the troupe utilizes gongs and drums from Bali, which are interwoven with other world and western instruments. One People Voice merges voice, percussion, and other ... ]
Pusaka Sunda - San Jose, California based gameland degung ensemble with audio samples, discography and ordering information, artists profiles, performance schedule, and workshops.
Sinar Anyar - Gamelan scores and choreographies and the stories of Javanese court dances.
Meta Description: [ Resources on traditional Javanese court dances and gamelan music by dance group Sinar Anyar. Links to other resources. ]
Wesleyan Gamelan Ensemble - Taught by Sumarsam and Pak Harjito. MP3 Sound samples and an introduction to gamelan syllabus (PDF format).
Yogyakarta Gamelan Festival - An international gathering, held every July in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Includes venue, programs, contacts and history.
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