gamelan
Indonesian percussion orchestra
Gamelan is a traditional Indonesian orchestra, particularly associated with Java and Bali.
The ensemble consists primarily of percussion instruments—bronze gongs, metallophones, and drums—along with flutes, strings, and sometimes vocals.
The music features interlocking rhythmic patterns and shimmering, layered textures: The gamelan accompanied the shadow puppet performance.
Gamelan has influenced Western composers from Debussy onward.
Struck metal disc
- metallophoneTuned metal bar instrument
- genderSocial identity category
- bronzeCopper-tin alloy
- bambooTall woody grass
Formal event marking occasions
- templeSacred worship structure
- sacredWorthy of reverence
- offeringSomething presented or given
- worshipReligious reverence and praise
ancestors · cremation · purification · trance · spiritual · wayang kulit · shadow puppet · court
Programming language from Sun
- puppetryManipulating figures for shows
- genderSocial identity category
- MahabharataSanskrit war epic
- RamayanaSanskrit heroic verse narrative
Indonesian resort province
- barongPhilippine leaf-bladed sword
- interlockingEngaging by overlap
- cremationBurning the deceased
- temple festivalCelebration at sacred grounds
Scale of five tones
- inharmonicNot musically consonant
- beatingRepeated striking or pulsing
- intervalsGaps between events
- temperamentInborn behavioral nature
forging · smithing · shimmering · microtonal
Large instrumental ensemble
- musiciansPeople who create music
- collectiveJointly organized group
- collaborationJoint intellectual work
- communalShared by a community
conductor · rehearsal · performance · troupe · unison · synchrony · notation · oral tradition
gong
Struck metal disc
- metallophoneTuned metal bar instrument
- genderSocial identity category
- bronzeCopper-tin alloy
ceremony
Formal event marking occasions
worship · ancestors · cremation · purification · trance · spiritual · wayang kulit · shadow puppet · court · festivity
Java
Programming language from Sun
- puppetryManipulating figures for shows
- genderSocial identity category
- MahabharataSanskrit war epic
Bali
Indonesian resort province
- barongPhilippine leaf-bladed sword
- interlockingEngaging by overlap
- cremationBurning the deceased
pentatonic
Scale of five tones
- inharmonicNot musically consonant
- beatingRepeated striking or pulsing
- intervalsGaps between events
temperament · forging · smithing · shimmering · microtonal
orchestra
Large instrumental ensemble
- musiciansPeople who create music
- collectiveJointly organized group
- collaborationJoint intellectual work
communal · conductor · rehearsal · performance · troupe · unison · synchrony · notation · oral tradition · improvisation
- Malay Wordsya, lima, air, ayah, orang
- Javanese Mysticismdalang, tapa, spirit offerings, guardian spirits, flower water
- cultural artsart, music, dance, theater, opera
- music genresblues, pop, jazz, rock, classical
- cultural traditionsflamenco, tango, kabuki, hula, capoeira
- Asian artskabuki, noh theater, Peking opera, Beijing opera, Chinese opera
gamelansymphony
Extended composition for orchestra
chamber orchestra · marching band · rock band · philharmonic orchestra · philharmonic
gamelanstring orchestra
Ensemble of violin-family instruments
string ensemble · choir · a cappella · string quartet · vocal ensemble