Javanese Gamelan

Javanese gamelan is a set of Javanese musical instruments handed down from generation to generation. Gamelan can be found in Central Java and Yogyakarta. The music was soft and reflect the harmony of life, as principle of life adopted by the Java community at large. The musical instruments played together, if one does not play an instrument will produce a different sound. It is also one of the principles of Javanese life, namely mutual assistance. By the Java community is commonly used instrument for sinden singing accompaniment, and accompaniment puppet show. Gamelan also played instrumental, with orchestra. Gamelan consists of several instruments, namely:

Saron

This instrument is played with wearing beaten the bat is made of wood. Sharon is the main melody filler in Javanese gamelan composition. sound sources on This tool is a metal planks, with basic material iron, brass and bronze.

Demung

Form and function the same as saron, but demung voice an octave lower than the saron and louder sound. Bat for demung also larger than the saron hitter.

Bonang barung

Bonang barung is a traditional musical instrument Javanese which made of iron, brass and bronze. Sound source Bonang came from head-like dome. This tool was beaten with a bat-shaped wooden sticks one end wrapped around the fabric. Bonang is played by being hit by two bat. Bonang barung is a leader in the melodic gamelan performances. This tool serves as the opening song, which served to initiate the course of the piece-the piece dish. One set consists of bonang 14 or 12 pieces bonang.

Bonang Penerus

Form and how to play this instrument like bonang barung. This tool is a harmony of sounds bonang barung charger. Similar shape but smaller bonang barung, bonang successor has a voice an octave higher than bonang barung and beaten when played in a faster tempo than the bonang barung.

Kenong

Kenong usually played by being hit by a bat. This tool is a charger chord or harmony in permainkan gamelan, kenong serves as a determinant of boundaries gatra, asserted rhythm. Kenong bonang shape similar to, but larger than the bonang. This tool also beaten using a wooden paddle wrapped cloth. Number in a set varies but is usually around 10 pieces.

Kethuk kempyang

This tool has a function as a rhythmic instrument, which helps in generating rhythmic drums desired song. In each set of gamelan is only one fruit and one fruit kethuk kempyang. Kethuk kempyang usually placed near kenong, usually kethuk kempyang kenong also played by the player.

Gender

This instrument is played using two paddle. Function is similar to the saron but with different sound colors, these tools are made of iron, brass and bronze. This tool is a bladed instrument. Gender blades are thinner than the saron blades, the blades are connected by a buffer which is composed of a series of threads are connected to one another.

Slenthem

This instrument is played by being hit by a bat. Its function is completely the same as that in control saron melody in the gamelan. However, with a color different sound with the tone one octave lower than the demung.

Kempul

Kempul was one of gamelan instruments made of bronze. Kempul called small gong. One set consists of several pieces kempul kempul variable amount. Kempul smaller have a higher pitch than the kempul great. Kempul is played with way being hit. This bat is made entirely of wood and struck parts coated thick fabric. Kempul laid out by hanging. Kempul function is asserted stakeholders rhythm or melody rhythm. Kempul a charger chord in every game gamelan.

Gong

Gong is played by being hit. because of its very large Falun laid by hanging. Its function is to signal the end of a gatra and also to mark the start and end of the piece. Gong has the greatest shape so that it has the lowest noise among other gamelan instruments. Gong is an instrument of the most cherished of all the instruments of the gamelan as it is considered as the soul of the gamelan. Gong can be divided into three, namely:

1. Gong siyem
2. Gong suwukan
3. Gong gedhe

 Xylophone (Gambang)

Gamelan xylophone is an instrument that is played in as a song. These tools perform the same function with barung gender, but xylophone made of wood. Each xylophone usually consists of 19 or 20 wooden slats to the tune. Xylophone played with two beaters. Xylophone very long hitter. Stem length is approximately 35 cm. This rod is made of horn, while parts made of wood struck the side of the cloth wrapped around her.

Kendhang

This tool is being hit by dimaikan with both hands on each side. Kendhang is chief who led every game gamelan, serves as a determinant of every rhythm in the gamelan players. Drums a rhythm control the piece. This tool works start, speed up, slow down, and will mark the end of the piece. In gamelan there are three or four different kemdhang size. Each membrane drums covered with skin on two sides. Diameter of the two different sides of the drums. The four drums are: gendhing drums, drums puppet, drums ciblon, and ketipung.

Flute

This instrument is played by blowing. Usually solitary flute plays a melody that graced the game gamelan. Distilled consists of two kinds of flutes and flute pelog slendro. Differences flute and flute pelog slendro is the layout and number of holes. Flute slendro has 4 holes, and pelog has 5 holes.

Siter

Zither played with the passage by the left and right thumb. This tool also plays its own melody. Siter is made with two sides, namely the upper and lower side. Each has pelog and slendro. Similar to the zither harp in West Java. Siter has 11 or 12 strings are unison (one tone).

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