GAMELAN

Gamelan is a musical ensemble that usually highlight metallophone, xylophone, drums, and gongs. The term gamelan refers to the instrument / tool, which is a unified whole that embodied and pounded together. Gamelan word itself is derived from gamel Java language, which means hitting / beating, followed by the suffix that makes the noun. Gamelan orchestra there are many on the island of Java, Madura, Bali and Lombok in Indonesia in various ensemble sizes and shapes. In Bali and Lombok today, and in Java through the 18th century, the term gong is considered synonymous with gamelan.

Occurrences gamelan preceded by a Hindu-Buddhist culture that dominated Indonesia in the early days of recording history, which also represents the original Indonesian art. Instrument developed to shape up as now in the days of the Majapahit Kingdom. In contrast to the music of India, the only impact to India's in gamelan music is how menyanikannya. In Javanese mythology, the gamelan dicipatakan by Sang Hyang Guru in Saka Era, the god who controlled all the land of Java, with palaces on the mountain Mahendra in Medangkamulan (now Mount Lawu). The first Hyang Guru create the gong to summon the gods. For a more specific message and then create two gongs, and finally formed the set of gamelan.

The description of musical instruments found in the first ensemble of Borobudur Temple, Magelang, Central Java, which has stood since the 8th century. Musical instruments such as bamboo flute, chimes, drums in various sizes, harp, musical instruments and plucked strings are swiped, is found in these reliefs. However, little is found elements of metal musical instruments. However, relief of the instrument said to be the origin of the musicians.

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.

source: SEBRANG KULON