Balinese Gamelan: An Introduction [with Dr. Elizabeth Clendinning]

Summary

Dr. Elizabeth Klinge, a professor of music at Wake Forest University, delves into the world of Balinese gamelan and its intricate musical structures. She explores the differences between Javanese and Balinese styles, the tuning systems, and the various instruments like gongs, keyed metallophones, and spiked fiddles. Klinge explains the unique interlocking melodies, the division of labor in performance, and how cultural values tie into the music. She also shares insights into her own journey with gamelan, its role in American education, and her ongoing research into its transnational impact, particularly through the work of the Tongass family in Colorado.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dr. Elizabeth Klinge is a professor of music at Wake Forest University, teaching world music, modern popular music, and the Balinese gamelan ensemble.
• 🎵 Gamelan is a traditional percussion ensemble from Indonesia, with different types made from metal, bamboo, and other materials, used in a variety of Southeast Asian musical styles.
• 🎼 Balinese and Javanese gamelans share some similarities, like cyclical foundations and core melodies, but differ in the number of gongs, tuning, and melodic elaboration styles.
• 🔔 Javanese gamelan uses a larger number of gongs, each with its own pitch, while Balinese gamelan typically uses only one or two large gongs and fewer distinct pitches.
• 🎶 Gamelan elaboration involves multiple instruments playing interlocking parts, with melodic division between 'polos' (straight) and 'sangsi' (more off-beat).
• 🪕 The 'gongs' and 'chimes' in Balinese gamelan are integral to its unique sound, with distinct playing techniques like muting to create rhythm and texture.
• 🎉 Balinese gamelan often uses a unique approach to form, with a strong focus on interlocking patterns that require cooperation between musicians for fast and intricate performances.
• 💍 The concept of 'pair tuning' in gamelan refers to instruments being in pairs—one lower pitch (female) and one higher pitch (male), creating a shimmering sound called 'umbach'.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 In Balinese society, tasks are divided between genders, and this idea is reflected in the use of paired instruments to create a complete, resonant sound in gamelan.
• 📚 Dr. Klinge is researching and writing a book on the history of Balinese gamelan in American higher education, drawing on her decade-long work with the Tongass family and others in the field.

Q & A

What is the Balinese gamelan, and how is it different from other Southeast Asian gong-chime orchestras?

The Balinese gamelan is a type of gong-chime orchestra from Indonesia, often considered a large percussion ensemble. It shares similarities with other Southeast Asian ensembles that use gongs, metal instruments, and other percussion like drums and chimes. What sets the Balinese gamelan apart is its specific combination of instruments, including gongs, keyed metallophones, spiked fiddles, and bamboo flutes, alongside distinct performance practices and styles.

What materials are commonly used in the construction of gamelan instruments, and how do these materials affect the sound?

Gamelan instruments are traditionally made from metal, often bronze or iron, although bamboo and other materials are also used in certain styles. The metal instruments, particularly gongs, produce deep, resonant tones. The materials contribute to the unique timbre and resonance of the gamelan, with different metals like bronze creating a richer, more sonorous sound compared to iron.

What are the main differences between Javanese and Balinese gamelan ensembles?

While both Javanese and Balinese gamelans share a similar structure with large gongs, smaller horizontal gongs, and keyed instruments, key differences lie in the number of gongs, melodic elaboration, and tempo control. Javanese gamelan typically features multiple gongs of different pitches, while Balinese gamelan usually has fewer large gongs and focuses on a more intricate, fast-paced elaboration of the core melody.

What is the significance of the Gong in Balinese gamelan music?

In Balinese gamelan, the Gong serves as a crucial structural element, marking the end of musical phrases within the cyclical gong cycle. The great Gong, or gama gong, has a ceremonial and symbolic significance, often being the focus of rhythmic and melodic structures, and its sound marks the completion of a musical phrase or cycle.

What is the role of 'polos' and 'sangsi' in Balinese gamelan performance?

'Polos' and 'sangsi' are terms that refer to two distinct types of melodic elaboration in Balinese gamelan. Polos is regular and straight, while sangsi follows a more offbeat or irregular rhythm. These interlocking parts, often played by different musicians, create a complex and intricate texture that allows for faster and more dynamic performances.

How does the concept of 'division of labor' apply to Balinese gamelan ensemble performance?

The concept of 'division of labor' in Balinese gamelan is embodied in the performance practice where multiple musicians collaborate to create a single elaboration of the core melody. This cooperative approach mirrors societal structures in Bali, where roles are often divided between individuals, leading to a more layered and interdependent musical texture.

What is the significance of 'Umbach' in the sound of Balinese gamelan?

Umbach, meaning 'waves,' refers to the shimmering sound created when the male and female tuned instruments are played together in the gamelan. This effect is crucial to the characteristic sound of the ensemble. The male instruments are tuned higher (representing the heavens), while the female instruments are tuned lower (representing the earth), and the combination of these creates a vibrant, undulating resonance.

How do Balinese gamelan instruments reflect the cultural role of gender?

Balinese gamelan instruments reflect gender roles in their tuning system. Instruments are paired as male and female, with the male instruments having a higher pitch and the female instruments having a lower pitch. This duality is connected to the symbolic balance between the heavens and the earth, which parallels the roles of men and women in Balinese society.

What are 'slendro' and 'pelog,' and how do they differ in gamelan music?

Slendro and pelog are two distinct tuning systems used in gamelan music. Slendro is a pentatonic scale with five pitches, while pelog is a heptatonic scale with seven pitches. These tunings create different sonic textures, with slendro offering a more even, balanced sound and pelog providing a richer, more complex tonal palette.

What is the hybrid tuning system used in Dr. Elizabeth Klinge's gamelan ensemble, and what are its unique features?

Dr. Elizabeth Klinge's gamelan ensemble uses a hybrid tuning system that combines elements of both slendro and pelog. This system allows for a more extended range on the instruments, enabling the ensemble to perform both slendro and pelog repertoire, although the performance might be confusing for experienced musicians due to the tuning differences.