2. iNTRODUCTION The word gamelan comes from the Javanese word gamels, meaning "to strike or hammer“. A gamelan is a musical ensemble from Indonesia such as metallophone, xylophones, drums and gongs; bamboo flutes, bowed and plucked strings. Vocalists may also be included.
3. HISTORY OF GAMELAN In Javanese mythology, the gamelan was created by Sang Hyang Guru in Saka era 167 (c. AD 230), the GOD who ruled as king of all Java from a palace on the Maendra mountains in Medangkamulan (now Mount Lawu).
4. 8th century Borobudur temple, Central Java. Musical instruments such as the bamboo flute, bells, drums in various sizes, lute, and bowed and plucked string instruments were identified in this image.
7. nOTATION Traditionally gamelan music is not notated and began as an oral tradition; however, in the 19th century The Solonese notation reads horizontally, like Western notation, but does not use barlines. The pitches are numbered and are read across with dots and lines indicating the register and time values.
10. Influences of western music First TRY = EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC. TWO WELL KNOWN MOVIE - Girl With A Pearl Earring and The Golden Compass, Pontianak (film product of Malaysia).
12. PARTS OF GAMELAN The bonang is a collection of small gongs (sometimes called "kettles" or "pots") placed horizontally onto strings in a wooden frame (rancak), either one or two rows wide. There are different bonang for pelog and slendro.
14. Gendang is also a traditional drum. It will play the main role as a tempo keeper and also the beat. While one orchestra going on, the other must follow the gendang player’s instructions.
18. CONCLUSION The player of gamelan must become the leader to themselves, also have a capability to match the rhythm of other instruments. To play gamelan, besides being skilled, the player must have a good sense of hearing the instruments..
19. While playing gamelan, you could not be egoist and dominated. Yet, musicians must tried to be patient and share whatever knowledge that we have
