Introducing to Gamelan - About Indonesia

Gamelan Jawa

Indonesia is the largest archipelago country in the world with 17.708 islands. In the islands scattered 237 million people in Indonesia so that Indonesia became the fourth most populous country in the world. Various ethnic, cultural, language and confidence to grow and develop in Indonesia. Although there is a diversity of languages, all the tribes united by national language, Indonesian. Each region has a music and traditions of each. Gamelan music is one of the most popular and admired by an international citizen.

Gamelan Bali

Gamelan is divided into three types:

1. Javanese Gamelan
2. Balinese gamelan
3. Sundanese gamelan. 

Each type was developed in the respective maisng. Gamelan music is often used as an accompaniment to the traditional art puppet, puppet people and various ritual.
In traditional citizen of Java, Javanese Gamelan is also used in the ritual "manten meeting", a ritual to bring together both the bride and groom.
In Bali, Balinese Gamelan is used in Balinese ritual ceremonies such as "Cut Teeth", a ceremony that marks a child has entered adolescence. It is because of the widespread use of the gamelan in the various arts. Gamelan is often combined with poetry and dance.In the Javanese mythology, the gamelan was created by God who became man menjelmah, Shivam Malholtra in Saka era 167. His kingdom stand on mountains Maendra, which is now known as Mount Lwu. At that time, it requires the signal to get in touch with the other Gods.
Gong then be made. To signal a more complex message, then he needs two other gongs and the kempul siyem, which was later formed Gamelan.
The word "gamelan" comes from the word "gamel" which means to hit. Then defined as a group Gamelan music instrument that is played in an integrated manner within a group.The majority of the group Gamelan music instrument played by means beaten.

Gamelan Sunda

Some tools in the gamelan music that is not being hit is sounded by flute, fiddle and zither. Flute sounded by blowing while the fiddle and zither sounded by the quotation. Gamelan consists of many musical instruments, such as, kempul, Gong, Siyem, Bonang, Flute, Kempyang, kethuk, Kenong, Sarong, Slenthem, zither, drums, fiddle, Gender, Gambang.There are two tuning system for the Slendro and Pelog Gamelan. A music instrument in the group generally have 2 pieces of music means that one in Selendro Based on the tuning and the other based on Pelog.In traditional belief, Gamelan is considered sacred and is believed to have supernatural powers. any instrument which is believed to have the spirit of the gamelan, the seriap gamelan musicians must play barefoot because it would disturb the spirits. Skip Gamelan music instrument is strictly forbidden. In the Javanese belief, Gong Ageng believed to be the center of the spirit of the gamelan.