Beginning Central Javanese Gamelan

Friends of the Gamelan

Taught: Fall 2009, Fall 2010, Fall 2011, Fall 2012

Old Town School of Folk Music

Taught: Spring 2012

Course description

Our beginning central Javanese gamelan ensembles course provides a practical introduction to the colotomic (structural) and balungan (melodic skeleton) instruments in a typical ensemble. We primarily focus on pieces in the lancaran and bubaran forms (Yogya and Jakarta traditional repertoire) because their shortness and repetitiveness are both useful for familiarity with new instruments. Students start learning the following instruments in both tunings (pelog and slendro): kenong, kempul, gong, kethuk, and kempyang (colotomy); demung, saron, and peking (balungan), and bonang playing gambyang only. We practice note accuracy, proper technique, and changes in tempo (speed) and dynamics (volume). Students are also introduced to the standard cipher notation used in Javanese gamelan, although we emphasize learning orally/aurally and playing from memory.

The courses offered by Friends of the Gamelan take place in FROG’s rehearsal space where students play Sri Sedånå, FROG’s bronze gamelan. Students are welcome to observe FROG’s weekly rehearsals immediately following the beginning course. After completing the beginning course, students are welcome to join the FROG community ensemble. At the course offered by the Old Town School of Folk Music students play Nyai Panjang Sari, FROG’s iron gamelan (shared by special arrangement between FROG and the Old Town School).