🎼Music of Asia Unit 8 – Music of Southeast Asia – Indonesia

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Karawitan: The traditional art music of Java and Bali, performed by gamelan ensembles
• Gamelan: Indonesian traditional musical ensemble consisting of various percussion instruments (metallophones, xylophones, drums, gongs) and sometimes vocals
• Kecak: A Balinese musical drama that involves a large group of performers who create rhythmic chanting and percussive sounds
• Wayang kulit: Indonesian shadow puppet theater accompanied by gamelan music, often depicting stories from Hindu epics (Ramayana, Mahabharata)
• Pentatonic scale: A musical scale consisting of five notes per octave, commonly used in Indonesian traditional music
• Heterophonic texture: Multiple variations of the same melody played simultaneously, a characteristic of gamelan music
• Colotomic structure: The use of specific instruments (gongs) to mark important points in the music, creating a cyclical form

Historical and Cultural Context

• Indonesian music heavily influenced by various cultures due to its location along ancient trade routes (India, China, Middle East)
• Hinduism and Buddhism introduced to Indonesia in the early centuries CE, significantly impacting the development of traditional music and dance
  • Many musical instruments and performance styles have roots in these religious traditions
  • Hindu epics (Ramayana, Mahabharata) serve as the basis for numerous musical and theatrical works
• Islam arrived in Indonesia in the 13th century, leading to the incorporation of Islamic musical elements and instruments (rebana, gambus)
• Dutch colonization (17th-20th centuries) introduced Western musical influences and instruments (violin, guitar, brass instruments)
• Indonesian independence (1945) sparked a renewed interest in preserving and promoting traditional music as a symbol of national identity

Musical Instruments of Indonesia

• Gamelan instruments:
  • Metallophones: Instruments with metal keys suspended over resonators (saron, gender, gangsa)
  • Xylophones: Instruments with wooden keys (gambang)
  • Gongs: Various sizes and types (gong ageng, kempur, kempul, bonang)
  • Drums: Kendang, a two-headed drum played with the hands
• Suling: A bamboo flute used in various Indonesian musical genres
• Rebab: A two-stringed bowed instrument, often used to play the main melody in gamelan ensembles
• Angklung: A bamboo instrument consisting of tuned tubes that sound when shaken, popular in West Java
• Sasando: A plucked string instrument from East Nusa Tenggara, made from a bamboo tube and palm leaves
• Kulintang: A set of graduated gongs arranged horizontally, used in music from Sulawesi and the southern Philippines

Traditional Forms and Genres

• Gamelan music: Instrumental ensemble music featuring metallophones, xylophones, gongs, and drums
  • Javanese gamelan: Characterized by a slower, more meditative style and the use of the pelog and slendro scales
  • Balinese gamelan: Known for its faster, more dynamic style and the use of the pelog scale
• Wayang kulit: Shadow puppet theater accompanied by gamelan music, narrating stories from Hindu epics or local folktales
• Kecak: A Balinese musical drama featuring a large group of male performers who create intricate rhythmic chanting and percussive sounds
• Keroncong: A popular music genre that originated in the 16th century, featuring a small ensemble of string instruments (guitar, ukulele, cello) and vocals
• Tembang Sunda: A vocal music genre from West Java, accompanied by a small ensemble of instruments (kacapi, suling, rebab)

Gamelan Music and Ensembles

• Gamelan ensembles consist of various percussion instruments, primarily metallophones, xylophones, gongs, and drums
• Instruments are tuned to either the pelog (seven-note) or slendro (five-note) scale
• Gamelan music is characterized by its interlocking rhythmic patterns, heterophonic texture, and colotomic structure
  • Interlocking rhythmic patterns: Different instruments play complementary rhythms that fit together like pieces of a puzzle
  • Heterophonic texture: Multiple variations of the same melody played simultaneously by different instruments
  • Colotomic structure: The use of specific gongs to mark important points in the music, creating a cyclical form
• Gamelan compositions are often associated with specific functions or occasions (court ceremonies, religious rituals, life-cycle events)
• Gamelan music is traditionally learned through oral transmission and memorization, with musicians learning their parts by ear

Regional Variations and Styles

• Java:
  • Javanese gamelan: Known for its slower, more meditative style and the use of the pelog and slendro scales
  • Wayang kulit: Shadow puppet theater accompanied by gamelan music, narrating stories from Hindu epics or local folktales
• Bali:
  • Balinese gamelan: Characterized by its faster, more dynamic style and the use of the pelog scale
  • Kecak: A musical drama featuring a large group of male performers who create intricate rhythmic chanting and percussive sounds
  • Legong: A classical Balinese dance accompanied by gamelan music, known for its intricate hand gestures and facial expressions
• Sundanese (West Java):
  • Tembang Sunda: A vocal music genre accompanied by a small ensemble of instruments (kacapi, suling, rebab)
  • Angklung: A bamboo instrument consisting of tuned tubes that sound when shaken, often used in Sundanese music
• Sumatra:
  • Gordang sambilan: A ceremonial music ensemble from North Sumatra, featuring nine large drums and other instruments
  • Saluang: A bamboo flute used in traditional music from West Sumatra, often accompanied by vocal poetry

Contemporary Indonesian Music

• Indonesian popular music has been influenced by various genres (rock, pop, hip-hop, electronic)
  • Bands like Dewa 19, Peterpan, and Nidji have gained widespread popularity in Indonesia and beyond
  • Hip-hop and rap have become increasingly popular, with artists like Rich Brian and Ramengvrl gaining international recognition
• Fusion of traditional and modern elements:
  • Contemporary composers and musicians often incorporate gamelan instruments and scales into modern compositions
  • Bands like Krakatau and Simak Dialog blend traditional Indonesian music with jazz, rock, and world music influences
• Indonesian film soundtracks have gained recognition for their unique blend of traditional and contemporary musical elements
• Indonesian music festivals (Java Jazz Festival, Bali Spirit Festival) showcase a diverse range of traditional and contemporary Indonesian music

Influence and Global Impact

• Indonesian music has influenced various genres and musicians around the world
  • Debussy and Messiaen were inspired by gamelan music, incorporating its elements into their compositions
  • Steve Reich's "Music for 18 Musicians" was influenced by Balinese gamelan
• Gamelan ensembles have been established in universities and music institutions worldwide, promoting the study and performance of Indonesian music
• Indonesian musicians have collaborated with artists from various countries, fostering cultural exchange and musical innovation
• World music festivals and concerts have featured Indonesian music, exposing global audiences to its rich traditions and contemporary expressions
• Indonesian music has been recognized by UNESCO as part of the world's intangible cultural heritage, highlighting its significance and the need for its preservation