Gamelan
is a musical ensemble that usually highlight metallophone, xylophone,
drums, and gongs. The term gamelan refers to the instrument / tool,
which constitute an integral whole which is realized and sounded
together. Gamelan word itself comes from the Javanese gamel which means
hitting / beating, followed by a suffix that makes the noun. Gamelan
orchestra mostly found in Java, Madura, Bali, and Lombok in Indonesia in
various sizes and shapes ensemble. In Bali and Lombok today, and in
Java through the 18th century, the term gong is considered synonymous
with gamelan.
Occurrences
gamelan preceded by Hindu-Buddhist culture that dominated Indonesia in
the early days of recording history, which also represents the original
art of Indonesia. Instrument developed to shape up like this in the days
of the Majapahit Kingdom. In contrast with Indian music, the only
impact of the India-an in gamelan music is how to sing it. In Javanese
mythology, the gamelan was created by Sang Hyang Guru in Saka Era, the
god who controls all the land of Java, with palaces on the mountain
Mahendra in Medangkamulan (now Mount Lawu). Sang Hyang Guru first
created gong to summon the gods. For a more specific message and then
create two gongs, and eventually formed set of gamelan.
The
description of the first ensemble of musical instruments discovered at
the Borobudur Temple, Magelang, Central Java, which has stood since the
8th century. Musical instruments such as bamboo flutes, bells, kendhang
in various sizes, harp, stringed musical instrument that swiped and
learned, is found in the relief. However, little is found elements of
metal musical instruments. However, relief of the instrument is said to
be the origin of the gamelan.
Gamelan
orchestra tuning and making is a complex process. Gamelan tuning using
four ways, namely slendro, pelog, "Degung" (special area of Sunda, or
West Java), and "madenda" (also known as the diatonic, the same as the
original minor scale that is widely used in Europe.
Gamelan
music is a combination of foreign artistic influence that diverse.
Linkages to note the tone of the Chinese, the musical instruments of
Southeast Asia, drum band and move to music from India, bowed strings
from the Middle East region, Europe and even the military style that we
hear the traditional music of Java and Bali today.