1. Global sound Bites ~ A listening perspective on world cultures ~
BALINESE GAMELAN MUSIC

2. Gamelan – What is it?
Traditional Indonesian musical ensemble, mainly in Bali and Java
Consists of following instruments: metallophones, xylophones, kendang (drums), gongs, bamboo flutes, bowed and plucked strings
Of special consideration are the metallophones and gongs as highly developed percussion instruments made of bronze / metal are featured prominently in the indigenous music of Southeast Asia

3. Gamelan – What is it?

4. Gamelan – How is it notated?
Traditionally, no notation and learnt through oral tradition
However, in modern times kepatihan notation is used
In this notation, the pitches corresponding to a particular note / “bar” on the metallophones are numbered

5. Gamelan – Commonly used pitches
Recall – Major and/or Minor scale in Western Music
Major pentatonic scale in Chinese Guqin music and minor pentatonic scale in Japanese Shakuhachi music
In both Balinese and Javanese Gamelan music, the slendro and pelog scales are used

6. Gamelan – Commonly used pitches
Slendro scale, an approximation using Western notation
Pelog scale, , an approximation using Western notation
Usually, only 5 pitches are used.

7. Gamelan Music – Musical Essentials
Western Music – Focus is on Harmony
Recall 12-bar blues – Bass progression (foundation of Harmony) is the “identity” and “driving force”
Gamelan Music – Focus is on interlocking units (melodic motifs) and “adding layers” (“layers” of melodies at “different speeds”) to produce a coherent whole
Reflects the societal emphasis on the community rather than the individual
Balinese Gamelan musicians relish practising hard to be able to change the tempo (speed) and dynamics suddenly as an ensemble

8. Gamelan Music – An example of a notated score