Gamelan is a set of musical instruments with pentatonic melodies, which consists of: Kendang, Bonang, Bonang Router, demung, Saron, Peking (Gamelan), Kenong & kethuk, Slenthem, Gender, Gong, Gambang, Rebab,, siter, Flute.
The main components of gamelan music instruments are: bamboo, metal, and wood. Each instrument has its own function in gamelan music show
Gamelan word itself is derived from the Javanese language "gamel" which means hitting / beating, followed by the suffix "an" that makes it as a noun. The gamelan has the meaning of the term as an integral instrument played together.
There is no clarity about the history of the creation of this instrument. However, the orchestra is expected when the culture was born out of Hinduism - Buddhism dominated Indonesia. Although there are differences in development with Indian music, there are still some features that are not lost, one of them is how to "sing" her song.. Commonly referred to as male singers is called wiraswara and female singers called waranggana or sinden.
According to Javanese mythology, the gamelan was created by Sang Hyang Guru in Saka era. He is a god who controlled all the land of Java, with palaces on the mountain Mahendra Medangkamulan areas (now Mount Lawu).
Gamelan musical instruments which first created the "gong", which is used to summon the gods. After that, to convey a special message, Sang Hyang Guru returned to create some other equipment such as two gongs, until finally forming a set of gamelan.
At the time of Majapahit, gamelan instruments developed very well to reach today's form and spread in several areas such as Bali, and Sunda (West Java).
The first authentic evidence of the existence of gamelan found at Candi Borobudur (Borobudur temple), Magelang, Central Java, established since the 8th century. In his reliefs seen some equipment such as bamboo flute, chimes, drums in various sizes, harp, musical instruments and plucked strings are swiped, including a description of the elements of metal musical instruments. Subsequent developments, the orchestra used to accompany wayang and dance performances.. Until finally stood up as the music itself and are equipped with voice sinden.
Gamelan expanding in Central Java, a little different from Balinese gamelan or Sundanese gamelan. Javanese gamelan has a softer tone when compared with the dynamic Balinese gamelan and Sundanese gamelan and dominated by lilting flute sound. According to some studies, the difference is the result of the disclosure to the view of life "Javanese people" in general.
The view in question is: as the Javanese people always have to "maintain the harmony of physical and spiritual life, and speak and act in harmony." Therefore, "Javanese people" always avoid explosive expression and strives to achieve tolerance. The most obvious manifestation in gamelan music is the pull string fiddle that is, a balanced blend of sound kenong, saron drum and xylophone and gong sounds on every cover of a rhythm.
. Gamelan orchestra tuning and manufacturing is a highly complex process. Gamelan tuning using four ways, namely "slendro", "pelog", "Degung" (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.
- Slendro has five tones per octave, namely: 1 2 3 5 6 [C-D E + GA] with small differences in the interval.
- Pelog has seven tones per octave, namely: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 [C + D E-F # G # AB] with a large difference interval.
