Visiting Indonesia without discovering the gamelan would be a missed opportunity for any traveler, since the use of this traditional instrumental ensemble is omnipresent throughout the country's culture. Some pieces are even associated with magical powers. The gamelan is characterized by the predominance of percussion instruments. It primarily features gongs, cymbals, metallophones and various types of drums, accompanied by string and wind instruments such as flutes and vocal performances.

History

The origin of the word "gamelan" comes from the Javanese word "gamel," which describes the action of playing a percussion instrument with a mallet. The gamelan was born even before Buddhism and Hinduism arrived in Indonesia. Legend has it that it came into existence around 230 A.D., when a god who ruled all of Java created the gong to summon his peers. To deliver more complex messages, he created two additional gongs, which gave birth to the original gamelan ensemble.

The oldest traces of the gamelan date back to the 8th century, visible on the bas-reliefs of the Buddhist temple Borobudur in Java. These sculptures depict bamboo flutes, drums of various sizes, ancestors of xylophones, and metallic instruments.

The gamelan continued to evolve over time. Kingdoms like Majapahit had special officials tasked with supervising gamelan performances and instrument creation. In Bali, specific gamelans were used for religious ceremonies.

The royal courts of Java developed their own styles. Some gamelans were considered sacred and played only during rituals. Others were used for entertainment, such as the one a grieving prince commissioned after the death of his child.

Islamic influence also became interwoven with the gamelan. Certain instruments were used to spread Islamic teachings.

Today, the rich history of the gamelan lives on. From ancient instruments preserved in museums to music sent into space (carried by NASA's Voyager I and Voyager II satellites), the gamelan remains a precious art form, carrying echoes of its long and fascinating journey.

The variations

The gamelan comes in several styles. Each ensemble possesses its own identity, inherited from royal courts and local traditions. The classification of styles is generally done by region:

The Javanese gamelan

The Javanese gamelan is a rich and diverse musical tradition originating from central and eastern Java. Two main types are distinguished: the pakurmatan, reserved for ceremonies and royal events, and the ageng, more comprehensive and used by the general population.

The ageng gamelan also exists in numerous variants, which differ in their size, instrumental composition, and repertoire. Some ancient instruments, such as the Byong, have disappeared from the standard gamelan, while others, such as the Selompret, are characteristic of village ensembles.

The Javanese gamelan is often soft and harmonious, reflecting Javanese philosophy of life. However, certain styles, such as the Banyuwangi gamelan, possess a faster tempo and higher-pitched notes.

The tuning of the Javanese gamelan is based on two main systems: the pelog, with seven notes, and the slendro, with five notes. These specific scales give this gamelan its unique and enchanting character.

The Balinese gamelan

The Balinese gamelan distinguishes itself from the Javanese gamelan through its instruments, their form, and the manner in which they are played. It traditionally accompanies Balinese artistic performances, whether religious or secular.

Three main types of Balinese gamelan are distinguished, classified according to their period of emergence:

• The gamelan wayah: an ancient type likely existing before the 15th century. It is dominated by keyboard instruments and contains no drums.
• The gamelan madya: dating from the 16th to the 19th century and incorporating drums and tuned instruments.
• The gamelan anyar: grouping the most recent formations (20th century) and characterized by more prominent drum playing.

The Sundanese gamelan

The Sundanese gamelan originates from western Java and Banten. Appearing in the 16th century, it was appreciated by dignitaries of the time. Three types of Sundanese gamelan are distinguished:

• The gamelan salendro: used for puppet shows, dances, and instrumental music.
• The gamelan renteng: considered the ancestor of the current Sundanese gamelan.
• The gamelan ketuk tilu: serving as accompaniment to various traditional arts.

The instruments used in the gamelan

Three families of instruments are generally distinguished in a gamelan:

1. Melodic percussion instruments:

• The metallophones:
  • Saron: a set of tuned metal blades, arranged horizontally on a wooden frame. Several types exist in a gamelan, such as the saron peking, saron demung, and saron panerus, each playing a different range.
  • Gender: a metallophone with wider blades than sarons, played vertically using mallets with felt heads.
  • Gambang: a hardwood xylophone, whose blades are struck with wooden beaters.
• The gongs:
  • Gong ageng: a large suspended gong, producing a deep and resonant sound.
  • Gong wadon and gong lanang: a pair of medium-sized gongs, representing the feminine and masculine respectively.
  • Kenong: a set of small cup-shaped gongs, suspended on a wooden frame.
  • Bonang: a set of tuned bronze bowls, placed on a wooden frame and struck with mallets with felt heads.

1. Rhythmic percussion instruments:

• Kendang: a set of two-headed drums of different sizes, whose complex playing ensures the rhythm and directs the tempo.
• Ciblon: a single-headed cylindrical drum, marking the main tempo

1. String and wind instruments:

• Rebab: a two-string spike fiddle, played with a bow.
• Kacapi: a plucked string zither.
• Suling: a bamboo flute.
• Vocal performance: solo and choral voices.

Gamelan performances in Java and Bali

The gamelan is deeply rooted in Indonesian culture and holds profound philosophical and social significance. Beyond the beauty of the music itself, it also symbolizes cohesion and cooperation.

It is found in dance theaters such as the Ramayana ballet (at the Hindu temple of Prambanan, at the Purawisata cultural center in Yogyakarta, in Ubud…), wayang wong, wayang topeng, and more. The gamelan is also present in all Indonesian puppet shows such as wayang kulit, wayang golek, wayang klithik, and wayang beber.

Several Javanese and Balinese festivals feature the gamelan, such as the Solo gamelan festival, the International Gamelan Festival of Yogyakarta, the Balinese Arts Festival, and many others.

In Bali, all temple rituals are accompanied by gamelan, as well as the Melasti purification ritual, the Galungan festival, and Odalan.

You can also witness gamelan performances during religious ceremonies (such as those of the Indonesian Catholic Church), birth ceremonies, weddings, and even funerals.

If you wish to learn this instrumental ensemble during your trip to Indonesia, courses are also offered to tourists in Java and Bali.