Differences
between Javanese and Balinese Gamelan
Indonesia is
rich in regional culture because Indonesia is formed from several islands that
have many different tribes, races, and cultures. Each region has a different
culture where the culture is a manifestation of the identity of their area of
residence. But sometimes there are also cultures in some areas that look
similar especially if the island or the area has a fairly close distance. One
example of a similar cultural form is gamelan. Gamelan can be called as an
orchestra originating from Indonesia where there are several instruments used
such as string instrument, inflatable instrument, large and small gong, kendang
instrument, and some other instruments are sounded simultaneously based on the pattern
of each beat. Gamelan is one form of Javanese cultural identity but there is
also a gamelan originating from Bali, this is what is meant by a similar
cultural form.
The
similarity between one of the forms of culture is due to Bali and Java is an area
adjacent to each other and in history is often mentioned that since the time of
the kingdom of both regions are often connected so it is not surprising if
there is a cultural similarity. Javanese gamelan and Balinese gamelan can be
similar but not the same, here are some differences between Java and Bali
gamelan that can be considered:
1. Sound
bar: Javanese gamelan or often called Javanese gamelan has 2 scales called
pelog and slendro, where the instruments are used the same but produces
different sound blades between each other. While the Balinese gamelan plays two
blades of sound at once called smaradhana.
2.
Instrument: Javanese gamelan instruments consist of demung, boning, gambang,
kenong, saron, rebab, gong, kendang, and slenthern. The drum player has a role
as a pointer of tempo and atmosphere while the boning player is the one who
understands the variation of the tone. The basic instrument of the Balinese
gamelan is similar to the Javanese gamelan just smaller. Instruments for the
Balinese gamelan are jublag, gong gede, jegogan, gangsa, ugal, klenthong,
kempur, reyong, ceng-ceng, rebab, flute, trompong, and kendang. In Balinese
gamelan kendang also serves to guide tempo and expression but because of its
smaller form eventually produce different rhythms.
3. Tone
notation: Javanese gamelan uses the notation of kepatihan with ladder 1,2,3,5,6
while notation of tone used by Balinese music is Ding Dong notation that is
dang dong dong where notation use sanscrit letters.
Those are
some of the differences that can be found in the Javanese gamelan and Balinese
gamelan when considered carefully. These differences show the color of music
possessed by each type of gamelan. So, if you want to know about the color of
music owned by Javanese and Balinese gamelan then the first thing to do is to
understand about the difference between Javanese and Balinese gamelan.
