Gamelan Music and Culture in Indonesia

Questions and Answers

The term means ________ 'ensemble' or 'orchestra' and is used in reference to a diverse class of mainly percussion-dominated music ensembles found on Bali, Java, and several other Indonesian islands.

gamelan

The Javanese cities of Surakarta and Yogyakarta are home to the great musical traditions of _____.

Central Javanese court gamelan

Various forms of Central Javanese gamelan and Balinese gamelan have figured especially prominently in the national image of Indonesia promoted under the cultural nationalism agenda of _____, Indonesia's national slogan.

Unity in Diversity

Almost 90 percent of Indonesians are Muslim, though the religion is practiced in many varied forms that often represent syncretisms with _____.

earlier Hindu, Buddhist, and indigenous belief systems Signup and view all the answers

Identify an accurate statement about the gamelan beleganjur.

The musicians walk or march as they perform. Signup and view all the answers

Balinese Hinduism is also referred to as _____, or Religion of Holy Water.

Balinese Hinduism Signup and view all the answers

Though the ensembles in gamelan music usually consist of a large number of individual instruments played by multiple performers, each gamelan is conceived of in its entirety as a _____.

single musical instrument Signup and view all the answers

Match the worlds of the Hindu-Balinese conception of the universe with their descriptions.

The Upper World = The domain of the gods and venerated ancestors The Middle World = The earthly realm of the Balinese people The Lower World = The realm of evil spirits and malevolent creatures Signup and view all the answers

Bandung is a major historical and contemporary center of gamelan activity where the distinctive language, culture, and music of the _____ predominate.

Sundanese people of West Java Signup and view all the answers

Identify the best-known Indonesian gamelan traditions.

Central Javanese court gamelan; Balinese gamelan gong kebyar Signup and view all the answers

What was instituted to provide a framework for the preservation, development, and nationalization of Indonesia's diverse cultures and cultural traditions?

The national slogan of Unity in Diversity Signup and view all the answers

Central Javanese court gamelan music has a(n) _____ quality.

majestic Signup and view all the answers

Bali is the only province of Indonesia in which _____ is the majority religion.

Hinduism Signup and view all the answers

Resonant bronze gongs, shimmering bronze-keyed metallophones, fast-paced melodies played on metallophone instruments and sets of small tuned gongs, intricate drumming, and a frenetic pace and energy are all elements that create the signature sound of _____.

Balinese gamelan gong kebyar Signup and view all the answers

Balinese Hinduism is a unique religion because it is in fact a _____.

syncretic faith blending elements of Hinduism and Buddhism with earlier layers of indigenous Balinese spiritual belief and practice Signup and view all the answers

The word ketawang in the Javanese gamelan composition called 'Ketawang: Puspawarna' refers to its cyclic form, which is defined by a _____.

gong cycle of that name with 16 beats Signup and view all the answers

According to the Hindu-Balinese conception of the universe, the Trimurti, or the 'Three Shapes' of the supreme Hindu deity, are believed to dwell in the _____.

Upper World Signup and view all the answers

Identify the difference between the Balinese gamelan style and the Central Javanese gamelan style of music.

In the Balinese gamelan style, the rhythms are in a coordinated manner across the full ensemble. Signup and view all the answers

One of the general musicultural features of Central Javanese court gamelan and Balinese gamelan gong kebyar is that _____.

both have a common historical foundation in Hindu religious cultures Signup and view all the answers

In the Balinese gamelan gong kebyar, when the male and female notes in a pair of gangsa are played together, the blending of their different pitches creates an acoustical beating effect called _____.

ombak Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Gamelan Music in Indonesia

"Gamelan" refers to "ensemble" or "orchestra," predominantly percussion-focused music groups found in Bali, Java, and other Indonesian islands.
Major musical traditions of Central Javanese court gamelan are located in Surakarta and Yogyakarta.
Central and Balinese gamelan play crucial roles in Indonesia's national identity, promoting the slogan "Unity in Diversity."

Cultural and Religious Context

Around 90% of Indonesians practice Islam, frequently interwoven with earlier Hindu, Buddhist, and indigenous belief systems.
Balinese Hinduism, also known as "Religion of Holy Water," uniquely blends elements from Hinduism, Buddhism, and indigenous beliefs.

Gamelan Instrumentation and Composition

Gamelan ensembles function as a single musical instrument, with numerous performers playing various instruments.
The "ketawang" composition features a gong cycle with 16 beats, demonstrating cyclical form.

Cosmology in Balinese Belief

The Hindu-Balinese universe consists of three spheres:
- Upper World: Home of deities and ancestors near Mount Agung.
- Middle World: The earthly life of the Balinese.
- Lower World: Realm of evil spirits, starting where land meets sea.

Regional Variations and Styles

Bandung is a center for gamelan culture, primarily associated with the Sundanese people of West Java.
Well-known Indonesian gamelan traditions include Central Javanese court gamelan and Balinese gamelan gong kebyar.
Central Javanese court gamelan is characterized by majestic, expansive, and ethereal qualities.

Balinese Gamelan Specifics

The Balinese gamelan gong kebyar features resonant bronze gongs, intricate drumming, and a fast-paced signature sound.
When played together, paired gangsa instruments create an "ombak" effect, producing an acoustical beating from differing pitches.
Balinese gamelan emphasizes coordinated ensemble rhythms, contrasting with the Central Javanese style where they are less synchronized.

Cultural Preservation

The integration of "Unity in Diversity" serves as a framework for preserving and developing Indonesia's rich cultural heritage.

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Description

Explore the rich tradition of Gamelan music in Indonesia, focusing on its cultural significance and various styles, particularly in Bali and Java. Discover how this unique music form contributes to Indonesia's national identity and its connections to the diverse religious landscape of the region.