Gamelan is a musical ensemble that usually highlights metallophone.
Gamelan is a musical ensemble that usually features metallophones, xylophones, drums, and gongs. The term gamelan refers to the instruments/tools, which are one complete unit that is created and sounded together. The word Gamelan itself comes from the Javanese word gamel which means hitting/drumming, followed by the suffix an which makes it a noun. Gamelan orchestras are mostly found on the islands of Java, Madura, Bali and Lombok in Indonesia in various types of ensemble sizes and shapes. In Bali and Lombok today, and in Java through the 18th century, the term gong is considered synonymous with gamelan.
A set of gamelan consists of various musical instruments and each musical instrument has a different function. The main components of gamelan musical instruments are dominated by metal, bamboo and wood. The musical instruments that make up the gamelan are: Kendang, Saron, Bonang Barung, Bonang Penerus, Slentem, Jender, Gambang, Gong, Kempul, Kenong, Ketug, Clempung, Siter, Flute, Rebab, Bedug, Keprak and Kepyak.
Javanese gamelan is music with pentatonic notes. One complete gamelan game consists of two rounds, namely slendro and pelog. Slendro has 5 notes per octave, namely 1 2 3 5 6 [C- D E+ GA] with small interval differences. Pelog has 7 notes per octave, namely 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 [C+ D E- F# G# AB] with large interval differences. Gamelan music compositions are created with several rules, namely consisting of several rounds and paths, limited by one gongan and the melody is created in units consisting of 4 notes.
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