Balinese Gamelan Angklung

Balinese Gamelan music is very similar to Javanese Gamelan music. The music is in cycle too, however, it is usually faster. One of the characteristic of Balinese gamelan music is that, it has a lot of sudden changes in tempo and dynamics. Like the Javanese gamelan, the instruments in Balinese gamelan includes metallophones and gongs. However, there are more metallophones than gongs in Balinese gamelan. The metal keys in Balinese metallophones are ticker than those of Javanese. These Balinese metallophones produce very bright sound. Another characteristic of Balinese Gamelan music is the used of cymbals. These cymbals create fast rattling sound that usually cannot be found in Javanese Gamelan music.

Interlocking

Balinese music emphasis on interlocking. Usually, different groups of player play different short melody/rhythm pattern simultaneously to create a complete musical phrase. The following example is an excerpt from a Balinese Gamelan music entitled Bebranangan.

In Bebranangan, the main melody phrase is divided into three sections. Each section has only two notes. These two notes are played repeatedly with a specific pattern in cycle. Each section has a different rhythmic pattern. Three different groups of player are assigned to play these three sections, in which each group plays a different section. If these sections are played individually, they sound simply like a rapid rhythmic pattern. However, when these three sections are played together, they form a complete melody phrase.

Balinese Gamelan Music

Like Javanese gamelan music, Balinese gamelan music is a percussion-dominated musical ensemble. It is also known as a gong-chime musical ensemble. This musical ensemble consists of bronze gongs, metallophones, cymbals, and a time-beater. In Balinese Gamelan, there are more metallophones than gongs.

Balinese Gamelan music is in cycle, or in musical terms, ostinato. Usually the music will repeat over and over, until the drummer give a signer to end the performance. Also the music often performed in interlocking style. For more information, please read Javanese Gamelan Music in this page.