Gamelan is a highly accessible music
activity, capable of stimulating pupils interests in standard
music studies. An introduction to gamelan music can be
presented as a one-off experience, or as a series of ongoing
sessions that develop deeper levels of musicality.
The instruments of the Indonesian gamelan provide a special way
to look at world culture, allowing insights into the music
typical of South East Asian cultures, and into old-growth music
in general. In turn, through the hands-on understanding of
extra-cultural music, participants discover enhancements to musical principals
of our own culture. The gamelan workshop generates a
great deal of practical musical knowledge for the student.
What makes gamelan so interesting?
The instruments themselves are fascinating.
They simply sound amazing. A first time encounter with the gamelan
brings the individual into a world of metallic sounds, a
carefully tuned orchestra of chimes and gongs.
Learning Gamelan music is like trying to solve a wonderful puzzle with unusual problems and solutions. In playing the music many special skills are acquired in each session.
Visiting artists often bring
traditional insights from their own culture and family
traditions. Shadow puppets and masks, unusual songs and
dances and helpful methods of learning music can presented in
special workshops.
It is usual to work with 15 students or
less at a time, and to concentrate on the experience of making
music as an ensemble. Workshop sessions can last up to two
hours. Beginners are easily integrated into the ensemble.
Workshops can provide information about
background aspects of gamelan music. This might include
descriptions of locale, culture, climate, customs, how the
instruments are made, related art forms such as puppetry and
dance, different styles of music from various regions, ways of
notating music, related music from neighboring countries, etc.
For young people it is normal to learn
gamelan music primarily by ear, emphasising the skills of
listening and memorisation. With young pupils we take an
original approach that develops traditional techniques of
playing the instruments. We keep the music simple, often
groovy and beat oriented. Within a short time as skills
are gained, this ‘instant ensemble’ is making very
interesting music.
But the sounds of the instruments
themselves are inherently relaxing. The tonalities seem
to function on several levels at once, making it essentially an
expansive study. For teachers and adults we use
combinations of traditional and original music, first learning
by ear and then by a form of non-western music notation.
artwork: Benjamin Hierro
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GAMELAN NAGA MAS
photo: Andrew McDermot
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