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February 17, 2010 # 1:18 pm # Cultural Performance, Music, Yogyakarta
Gamelan is a traditional ensemble music created from the composition of traditional instruments mostly originating from Indonesia, specifically from the Island of Bali and Java. The instruments that are commonly used to create Gamelan music are metallophones, xylophones, kendang, rebab, celempung, gong and seruling (bamboo flute). The instruments can be found both in Indonesia or some other South East Asian countries. Gamelan music in Indonesia has various forms, based on the area of origin. The most know Gamelan music are Javanese Gamelan, Balinese Gamelan, and Sundanese Gamelan. Each type has their own characteristics of music.
The name “Gamelan” originated from a Javanese word “Gamel” which means “to play”. Gamelan music can be played as an individual performance or it can also be played as supporting music for plays or theatrical performances, such as wayang or the Ramayana Ballet performance.
