Gamelan

Gamelan is a musical ensemble that usually highlight metallophone, xylophone, drums, and gongs. The term gamelan refers to the instrument / tool, which is a unified whole that is realized and sounded together. Gamelan word itself comes from the Javanese gamel which means hitting / beating, followed by an ending that makes it a noun. Gamelan orchestra mostly located on the island of Java, Madura, Bali, and Lombok in Indonesia in various sizes and shapes ensemble. In Bali and Lombok today, and in Java through the 18th century, the term gong is more considered synonymous with gamelan.

Occurrences gamelan preceded by Hindu-Buddhist culture that dominated Indonesia in the early days of recording history, which also represents the original art of Indonesia. Instrument developed to shape up like this in the days of the Majapahit Kingdom. In contrast to the music of India, the only impact of the India-an in gamelan music is how menyanikannya. In Javanese mythology, the gamelan dicipatakan by Sang Hyang Guru in Saka Era, the god who controlled the whole land of Java, with a castle on the mountain Mahendra in Medangkamulan (now Lawu). Sang Hyang Guru first created gong to summon the gods. For a more specific message then creates two gongs, and eventually formed the set of gamelan.
The description of the first ensemble of musical instruments found in the temple of Borobudur, Magelang, Central Java, which has stood since the 8th century. Musical instruments such as bamboo flute, chimes, drums in various sizes, harp, stringed musical instrument that is swiped and learned, are found in the reliefs. However, little is found elements of metal musical instruments. However, the relief of the instrument is said to be the origin of the gamelan.

Gamelan orchestra tuning and making is a complex process. Gamelan tuning using four ways, namely slendro, pelog, "gamelan" (special area of ​​Sunda, or West Java), and "madenda" (also known as the diatonic, the same as the original minor scale that is widely used in Europe.

Gamelan music is a combination of foreign artistic influence that diverse. Not regard the tone of the Chinese musical instruments from Southeast Asia, drum band and move to music from India, bowed strings from the Middle East, Europe and even the military style that we hear the traditional music of Java and Bali today.

Interaction components are loaded with melody, rhythm and timbre to maintain the glory of the Balinese gamelan orchestra music. The pillars of this music brings together a variety of Balinese rural community character that became the order of the typical music that is an inseparable part of everyday life.