Music of Java: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Javanese traditional music, Indonesia}}

{{Indonesianmusic}}

{{More citations needed|date=April 2024}}

The '''Music of Java''' embraces a wide variety of styles, both traditional and contemporary, reflecting the diversity of the island and its lengthy [[history of Java|history]]. Apart from "traditional" forms which maintain connections to musical styles many centuries old, there are also many unique styles and conventions which combine elements from many other regional influences, including those of neighbouring Asian cultures and European colonial forms.

[[File:Javanese Gamelan.jpg|thumb|right|300px| Javanese gamelan ensemble performance during traditional Javanese [[Yogyakarta]] style wedding ceremony at Sasono Utomo, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Jakarta, Indonesia.]]

{{Music of Indonesia}}

The '''Music of Java''' embraces a wide variety of styles, both traditional and contemporary, reflecting the diversity of the island and its lengthy [[historyJava of Java(island)#History|history]]. Apart from "traditional" forms whichthat maintain connections to musical styles many centuries old, there are also many unique styles and conventions which combine elements from many other regional influences, including those of neighbouring Asian cultures and European colonial forms.

==Gamelan==

{{Main|Gamelan}}

The [[gamelan]] orchestra, based on metallic [[percussion instrument|percussion]] with [[wind instrument|windsidiophone]]s and [[drum]]s, is perhaps the form which is most readily identified as being distinctly "Javanese" by outsiders. In various forms, it is ubiquitous to Southeast [[Asia]]. In Java, the full [[gamelan]] also adds a [[bowed string instrument]] (the [[rebab]], a name illustrative of [[Islamic]] influence), plucked [[siter]], vertical flute [[suling]] and voices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mardiastuti |first=Aditya |title=Alat Musik Rebab: Pengertian, Sejarah Asal, dan Cara Memainkan |url=https://www.detik.com/jabar/berita/d-6243216/alat-musik-rebab-pengertian-sejarah-asal-dan-cara-memainkan |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=detikjabar |language=id-ID}}</ref> The rebab is one of the main melodic instruments of the ensemble, (together with the xylophonemetallophone "[[gendér]]"); these and isthe [[kendang]] drums are often played by the seniormost [[musician]]experienced musicians. Voices usually consist of a male andchorus female choruses[[gerong]], together with soloistsa female soloist [[sindhen|pesindhen]]; however, the voices are not usually featured in court gamelan (as opposed to [[wayang kulit]], [[shadow puppet]] theatre) and are supposed to be heard discreetly in the middle of the orchestral sound. In these [[Abstract music|abstract]] pieces, the words are largely secondary to the music itself.

There are two scalestuning systems in Javanese gamelan music, "[[slendro]]" ([[pentatonic]]) and "[[pelog]]" ([[heptatonic]] in full, but focussingfocusing on a pentatonic group).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Media |first=Kompas Cyber |date=2022-01-21 |title=Mengenal Laras Slendro dan Pelog: Arti, Perbedaan, dan Nada |url=https://regional.kompas.com/read/2022/01/21/112810678/mengenal-laras-slendro-dan-pelog-arti-perbedaan-dan-nada |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=KOMPAS.com |language=id}}</ref> Tuning is not standard, rather each gamelan set will have a distinctive tuning. AThere completeare gamelanalso consistsdistinct ofmelodic amodes pair([[pathet]]) ofassociated sets,with oneeach tunedtuning insystem. eachA ofcomplete thegamelan scalesconsists andof intendedtwo toof besets playedof togetherinstrument, one in manyeach tuning instancessystem. Different gamelan sets have different sonorities, and are used for different pieces of music; many are very old, and used for only one specific piece. Musical forms are defined by the [[rhythm]]ic cycles. These consist of major cycles subdividedpunctuated by smallerthe cycleslarge [[gong]], eachsubdivided by smaller divisions marked by the striking of successively smaller [[gong]]s such as [[kenong]], [[kempul]] and [[kempyang and ketuk|kethuk]]. The melodic interplay takes place within this framework (technically called "[[colotomic structure]]"). There are also distinct melodic modes ("[[patet]]") within the division of scale.

==See also==

There are two scales in Javanese gamelan music, "[[slendro]]" ([[pentatonic]]) and "[[pelog]]" ([[heptatonic]] in full, but focussing on a pentatonic group). Tuning is not standard, rather each gamelan set will have a distinctive tuning. A complete gamelan consists of a pair of sets, one tuned in each of the scales and intended to be played together in many instances. Different gamelan sets have different sonorities, and are used for different pieces of music; many are very old, and used for only one specific piece. Musical forms are defined by the [[rhythm]]ic cycles. These consist of major cycles subdivided by smaller cycles, each marked by the striking of successively smaller [[gong]]s. The melodic interplay takes place within this framework (technically called "[[colotomic structure]]"). There are also distinct melodic modes ("[[patet]]") within the division of scale.

{{Portal|Music|Indonesia}}

* [[Music of Indonesia]]

* [[Sundanese music]]

* [[Music of Bali]]

* [[Music of Sumatra]]

== References ==

[[Category:Indonesian music]]

{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Music of Indonesia|Java]]

[[Category:IndonesianJavanese musicculture]]