Gamelan

A gamelan is a musical ensemble of Indonesian origin typically featuring metallophones, xylophone(s), drums, and gongs. Traditionally, the term "gamelan" is used to refer to either the set of instruments making up the ensemble, or the players of those instruments at any given time.

Varieties of gamelan ensembles

Gamelan orchestras are common to the islands of Java, Madura, Bali, and Lombok (and other Sunda Islands) in Indonesia in a wide variety of ensemble sizes and formations. In Bali and Lombok today, and in Java through the 18th century, the term "gong" is or was preferred to or synonymous with gamelan. Traditions of gamelan have long been established in Malaysia and Suriname due to emigration, trade, or diplomacy, and more recently, through immigration, and local enthusiasm, gamelan ensembles have become active throughout Europe, The Americas, Asia, and Australia.

Related Topics:
Java - Madura - Bali - Lombok - Sunda Islands - Malaysia - Suriname - Europe - The Americas - Asia - Australia

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Although gamelan ensembles sometimes include solo and choral voices, plucked and/or bowed string and wind instruments, they are most notable for the large number of percussion instruments, particularly metal percussion instruments. A central Javanese gamelan ensemble include:

Related Topics:
String - Wind instrument - Percussion instrument

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• metallophones called saron and gendér (sets of metals bars laid out in a single row and struck like a glockenspiel)
• small gongs called bonang and kenong (sets of large, drum-shaped gongs laid out horizontally on stands)
• xylophone-like instruments called gambang (similar to saron and gendér but with wooden bars instead of metal ones)
• a variety of hanging gongs and drums

Metals used include bronze, brass, and iron, with a 10:3 copper-to-tin bronze alloy usually considered the best material. In addition, there are gamelan ensembles composed entirely of bamboo-keyed instruments, of bamboo flutes, of zithers, or of unaccompanied voices with the functions of metallophones or gongs in the metal ensemble transferred to surrogates.

Related Topics:
Bronze - Brass - Iron - Bamboo - Flute - Zither

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