Gamelan Lecture Demo (GIta Asmara Show 2013)

Summary

In this presentation, the speaker explains the intricate structure of a gamelan music performance, detailing the roles of various instruments. The music is divided into three functional categories: melody instruments, elaborating instruments, and rhythm keepers. The melody is built through layered instrumentation, with different instruments playing in sync to create a complex, dynamic performance. The speaker also highlights the importance of oral tradition in gamelan music and answers questions about the cycle structure and compositional process, offering insights into the music’s structure and learning methods.

Takeaways

• 😀 Gamelan music consists of three categories of instruments: melody instruments (metallophones), elaboration instruments (horizontal gongs), and rhythm instruments (drums and gongs).
• 😀 The melody is divided into layers. The first layer is played on every beat, the second on beats 1 and 3, and the third is the bass layer.
• 😀 The music follows a 5-cycle pattern, with a total of 20 beats per cycle (5x4).
• 😀 Each instrument in the gamelan ensemble has a specific role based on its function in the overall musical structure.
• 😀 The elaboration instruments (metallophones) play both on and off the beat, creating complexity and richness in the melody.
• 😀 The reason for dividing melodic lines into on- and off-beat segments is to make fast tempos easier to play, enhancing clarity and precision.
• 😀 The R gongs mark the cycle of the music, providing a reference point for the ensemble to follow.
• 😀 Drums and cymbals provide rhythmic cues, helping with dynamic changes and tempo shifts during the performance.
• 😀 Gamelan music is passed down through oral tradition, with teachers directly demonstrating musical patterns for students to replicate.
• 😀 Each instrument contributes to the cyclical and layered structure of the gamelan, with each section building upon the others to create a unified sound.
• 😀 The dynamic leader of the ensemble is typically the drum, which leads tempo and dynamic changes, guiding the entire performance.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the explanation in the script?

The speaker is explaining the structure and function of the instruments used in the music, breaking down how they work together to create a cohesive sound. The goal is to help the audience better appreciate the music they are hearing.

How many categories of instruments are mentioned, and what are their functions?

There are three categories of instruments: those that play the melody (such as the metallophones), those that provide elaborations based on the melody (including horizontally suspended gongs), and those that maintain the rhythm and provide cues (such as the drums and gongs).

What is the role of the metallophones in the music?

The metallophones play the basic melody, with one set of instruments playing the main melody and another set providing elaborations on it, either on or off the beat.

Why are the melodic lines divided into two parts?

The melody is divided into two parts to make it easier to play at faster tempos. This division allows the musicians to play more rapidly, which is common in this style of music.

What is the significance of the cycle and its structure in the music?

The cycle is central to the music's structure, with the specific cycle discussed in the script being a 5x4 cycle. The cycle defines the rhythm and timing that the musicians follow as they play their parts.

How is the music learned traditionally?

The music is passed down through an oral tradition, with students learning by listening and directly copying their teacher's instructions. This method of learning continues in the tradition today.

What is the role of the drums and gongs in the music?

The drums and gongs serve several functions: the large gongs mark the cycle, the smaller gong helps maintain the beat, and the drums accentuate dynamic changes and keep the ensemble together.

What is the term 'trompon' referring to in the context of the music?

The 'trompon' refers to the lead melodic voice in the performance. It is the primary melodic line that guides the rest of the ensemble's progressions.

What was the audience's reaction when the speaker asked how many had seen a gamelan concert before?

The audience responded with applause, indicating that a significant number of them had experienced a gamelan concert before, which helped the speaker shorten the explanation.

What challenge does the speaker mention when playing music at fast tempos?

The challenge mentioned is that at fast tempos, playing a single melodic line becomes difficult. Therefore, the line is divided to make it easier to perform at high speed, especially in traditional gamelan music.