MUS 185 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Kecak, Chordophone, Gamelan Gong Kebyar
13 Oct 2015
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Document Summary
Two different centers of gamelan in indonesia: java and bali (two primary locations of gamelan music) While instruments and playing techniques are quite similar, the musical style is very different (the way they sound and are put together) Lack of outside (western) influence over the years. Use of gamelan to accompany important sacred/ritual activities. Allows for improv or design in performance. Typically, strictly composed and rehearsed to perfection. Arts in general are central to balinese life. Many varieties of gamelan ensemble (6-7 different types) Hindu temples serve as important locations/sponsors of musical performances. Left hand is used to dampen the keys after striking. Set of gamelan instruments belong together, and is crafted as a unified set. Individual instruments are not usually played separately. A set of instruments is unified through unique turning (no standardized tuning system like we have) These pairs of instruments are purposefully made slightly out of tune with each other.
