Gamelan semar pegulingan
Encyclopedia
Gamelan semar pegulingan is an old variety of the Balinese
gamelan
. Dating back from around the 17th century, the style is sweeter and more reserved than the more popular and progressive Gamelan Gong Kebyar
. Semar pegulingan is derived from the ancient flute ensemble gamelan gambuh
which utilizes a 7 tone scale. Semar pegulingan also uses the 7 tone scale which enables several pathet
(similar to modes or scales) to be played. Semar is the name of the Hindu God of love and pegulingan means roughly 'laying down'.It was originally played near the sleeping chambers of the palace to lull the king and his concubines to sleep. The ensemble includes suling
, various small percussion instruments similar to sleigh bells and finger cymbals, and trompong - a row of small kettle gongs that play the melody. A similar type of ensemble, Gamelan Pelegongan, substitutes a pair of gendér
s for the trompong as the melody carrier and plays the music for a set of dances known as legong
.
Music of Bali
Bali is an Indonesian island that shares in the gamelan and various other Indonesian musical styles. Bali, however, has its own techniques and styles, including kecak, a form of singing that imitates the sound of monkeys...
gamelan
Gamelan
A gamelan is a musical ensemble from Indonesia, typically from the islands of Bali or Java, featuring a variety of instruments such as metallophones, xylophones, drums and gongs; bamboo flutes, bowed and plucked strings. Vocalists may also be included....
. Dating back from around the 17th century, the style is sweeter and more reserved than the more popular and progressive Gamelan Gong Kebyar
Gamelan gong kebyar
Gamelan gong kebyar is a style or genre of Balinese gamelan music. Kebyar means "the process of flowering", and refers to the explosive changes in tempo and dynamics characteristic of the style. It is the most popular form of gamelan in Bali, and its best known musical export...
. Semar pegulingan is derived from the ancient flute ensemble gamelan gambuh
Gamelan gambuh
Gambuh is an ancient form of Balinese dance-drama. It is accompanied by musicians in a gamelan gambuh ensemble.-History:Gambuh is one of the oldest surviving forms in Balinese performing arts, dating to the late Majapahit era with very little known change since this time...
which utilizes a 7 tone scale. Semar pegulingan also uses the 7 tone scale which enables several pathet
Pathet
The pathet is an organizing concept in gamelan music. It is difficult to explain, but is similar to the melody types, that is, for example, modes, ragas, or maqamat, of other musics....
(similar to modes or scales) to be played. Semar is the name of the Hindu God of love and pegulingan means roughly 'laying down'.It was originally played near the sleeping chambers of the palace to lull the king and his concubines to sleep. The ensemble includes suling
Suling
A suling or Seruling is an Indonesian bamboo ring flute. It is used in gamelan ensembles.Depending on the regional genre, a suling can be tuned into different scales...
, various small percussion instruments similar to sleigh bells and finger cymbals, and trompong - a row of small kettle gongs that play the melody. A similar type of ensemble, Gamelan Pelegongan, substitutes a pair of gendér
Gendér
A gendér is a type of metallophone used in Balinese and Javanese gamelan music. It consists of 10 to 14 tuned metal bars suspended over a tuned resonator of bamboo or metal, which are tapped with a mallet made of wooden disks or a padded wooden disk . Each key is a note of a different pitch, often...
s for the trompong as the melody carrier and plays the music for a set of dances known as legong
Legong
Legong is a form of Balinese dance. It is a refined dance form characterized by intricate finger movements, complicated footwork, and expressive gestures and facial expressions....
.