Music in Indonesia: Philippine and Asian Music 1

Music in
indonesia
Philippine and Asian Music 1

Indonesia is
an
archipelago in
Southeast
Asia
comprising
approximately
17, 500
islands.
With over 238
million,
Indonesia is
the world’s
fourth most
populous
country and is
the fourth
biggest nation
of the world.
Contemporary Music
Today, the contemporary music of
Indonesia is popular not only in the region
but also in the neighboring countries.
Indonesian Music, the music of the

peoples of the islands of the Indonesian
Archipelago.
Generally, these gong-and-drum
ensembles accompany ritual and religious
activities.
Throughout the islands, historical and
religious epics are sung, and they are often
accompanied by a stringed instrument or a
flute.
Another common element is the belief
that music is a means of communicating
with unseen powers.
There are two basic kinds of
Indonesian Music Scale
1. Slendro – has five notes with
equal distance per octave.
2. Pelog – has seven pitches per octave.
Gamelan music
The GAMELAN MUSIC when heard

is POLYPHONIC it’s because they used
the common technique in playing the
gongs which is interlocking or inter-
connecting of sounds.
TEMPO is a very popular Italian term
used in music. It means TIME or the
timing of the song, the flow, or the beat.
In Indonesia, tempo is called IRAMA.

The Gamelan Orchestra – is the most
popular form of music in indonesia. The
word gamelan comes from the javanese
word gamel, which means a hammer.
• The main instruments in the gamelan
orchestra :
– Gongs
– Bronze Xylophones
– Drums
– Flutes
– Zithers
GONGS
Bronze xylophones
drums
Flutes
zithers
The gamelan performs both in an
instrumental role as well as in supportive
role for dance and puppet performance.
Vocal Music is usually
important with gamelan but its
role is for ornamentation
purposes only of the gamelan.
Types of vocal music
The most common interpretation of musical

composition is SINGING.
1. PEDINDHEN – is a
female soloist singer
who sings with a
gamelan.
2. GERONG – this refers to the unison
male chorus that sings with the gamelan.
3. BERONG BECAYAN – this is a mixed

chorus.
Three major gamelan styles in
indonesia
It is based on :
1. Sundanese Culture
2. Central Javanese Culture
3. Balinese Culture
The BALINESE form, gamelan gong

kebyar, has a faster tempo than the others.
Traditional gamelan of bali
The Island of BALI has a long and rich

tradition of gamelan music. The gamelan
is a large ensemble, consisting up to 40
musicians playing varying sizes of gongs,
xylophones, and drums. It performs for
traditional occasions and ceremonies.
The Gong Gede – is the oldest and largest
of the gamelan orchestras in BALI.
- it was also used to
accompany ritual dances and war dances.
Today, nearly every village has at least

one gamelan orchestra.
Music in BALI – Culture of the
Balinese
The people of Bali hold a special place
in their heart for music and traditional
Balinese gamelan has won fans around the
globe.
The origins of Balinese music are
said to be traced back to java around 230
AD. It is said to have been originally
developed in Java as a means to summon
the gods.
Function of Music
Balinese gamelan is closely associated with
the local religious tradition – therefore
this music is performed during:
1. Important religious ceremony
2. Rituals
3. Feasts
4. Wedding Ceremony
5. Balinese shadow puppet shows (wayang
kulit)
Balinese Gamelan
Instruments
1. CENG CENG
2. GONGS
3. GANGSAS
4. KENDANG
5. REYONG
6. TROMPONG
7. REBAB
CLASSICAL GAMELAN OF
JAVA
KARAWITAN – is the term used for every
kind of gamelan music in Java.
FUNCTIONS OF GAMELAN
ORCHESTRAS
1. They are used to accompany dances and
Wayang kulit (Puppet shadow).
2. They are believed to possess
supernatural powers.
3. Their instruments are considered sacred
therefore stepping over the instrument is a
sign of disrespect.
4. The musicians take a bow to their
instruments before they start playing to show
respect.
The chart below shows the
difference between Balinese and
Javanese Gamelan Orchestra
• ANGKLUNG
BURUNG KAKA TUA
Traditional folk song of Indonesia – this is an
Indonesian Song about a Parrot.
Prepared By:

Music in Indonesia: Philippine and Asian Music 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Music in Indonesia: Philippine and Asian Music 1

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Music in Indonesia: Philippine and Asian Music 1

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Music in

Philippine and Asian Music 1

Indonesian Music, the music of the

The GAMELAN MUSIC when heard

In Indonesia, tempo is called IRAMA.

The most common interpretation of musical

3. BERONG BECAYAN – this is a mixed

The BALINESE form, gamelan gong

The Island of BALI has a long and rich

Today, nearly every village has at least

Philippine and Asian Music 41

You might also like