The document describes the instruments and structure of a gamelan orchestra from Central Java. A gamelan typically has 5-50 players and includes instruments like kendang drums, saron glockenspiels, gongs, bonang kettles, and metalaphones. The music features a repeated melody that is heterophonic in texture and structured in cycles defined by gong beats. Moods can range from relaxed to dramatic.

1. Gamelan I
• Almost every where in Yogya, Solo, Semarang
and other cities in Central Java you should
hear the magical melodious percussion music
• Markets, villages, hotel lobby's are some of
the many place you will hear the gamelan
Javanese orchestra.

2. Gamelan II
• A gamelan will have between 5 - 50
players, usually there are around 10 – 20.
• All instruments in the gamelan are of equal
importance
• Gamelan music is carefully organised and the
texture is heterophonic

4. Kendang
• A double ended drum beaten by hands
• It is a leading instrument. The pengendang
(drumer) is the conductor of the gamelan
orchestra. There are five (5) different sizes of
kendang from 20 cm to 45 cm.

5. Saron
• A glockenspiel with bronze bar struck with
wooden mallet. There are three kinds; Saron
Barung, Saron Peking, Saron Demung.

6. Gong
• Each slendro and pelog set had three gongs.
Two big gongs (Gong Ageng) and one gong
Suwukan about 90 cm, made from
bronze, suspended on a wooden frame. It
marks the end of the largest phrase of the
melody.

7. Bonang
• A double row of bronze kettles resting on a
horizontal frame, played with two long stick.

8. Melody
• A Short phrase is repeated on the mid-range
metalaphones, at a medium tempo
• The same melody is taken up by other
players, but the way in which each of them
plays it will be different

9. Structure
• Gamelan music is repeated in cycles. The
structure of the music is defined by large gongs.
• The last beat of each phrase is the most
important and often accented by all of the
players.
• The overall structure varies form one piece to
another. If the music is accompanying a religious
ceremony , dance or drama then the structure is
determined by visual actions.

10. Mood
• Sometimes the music is low and
quiet, creating a relaxed and meditative
mood. Sometimes the music is extremely loud
and fast.
• Players must enter one at a time, or they may
all burst in together which will demonstrate a
dramatic change.