Differences between Javanese and Balinese Gamelan

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.