About us
Events
What is gamelan?
Library
Book reviews
CD reviews
Education
Seleh NotesPlay gamelan
Performing groups
Buying a gamelan
For sale/wanted
Music
Podcasts
Visiting Indonesia
Links
Subscribe to our newsletter for details of gamelan events and information about what's new on the site.
Click on the link to get the subscribe address
For more information about RSS see the
help pages
Email
info
at gamelannetwork.co.uk
What is gamelan
The word gamelan is derived from the low Javanese word gamel, meaning a hammer. The term gamelan should, correctly, refer to the instruments themselves.
A gamelan
ensemble consists of a number of instruments, mainly percussion, although
most gamelan include drums, which lead the ensemble and other instruments
such as rebab (a stringed instrument) and suling (an end-blown bamboo
flute).
In many gamelan ensembles the percussion instruments are primarily metallophones, gongs or gong chimes, but there are also, for example, ensembles consisting of bamboo instruments.
Gamelan originates from Indonesia but, as this is one of the most culturally diverse nations in the world, it is hardly surprising that there are many different types of gamelan ensemble.
At the present time this web site covers gamelan from Central Java and
Bali, which are those most commonly used in the UK.
The following pages provide some introductory notes and pictures for those unfamiliar with gamelan instruments.
Javanese gamelan
Balinese
gamelan
What is wayang?
All
you need to know about buying instruments
To
return to top | Email enquiries info at gamelannetwork.co.uk
|