Gamelan

Indonesian music · percussion · cultural tradition

Drums keep the groove. The kendang is a special hand drum that gives gamelan its heartbeat, keeping everyone in the ensemble together and moving at just the right speed.

Metal creates music. Metallophones are instruments made of metal bars arranged like a xylophone, and they produce the shimmering, bell-like sounds that gamelan is famous for.

Nature builds instruments. Gamelan makers craft instruments from all kinds of materials, including bamboo for flutes and even banana-shaped metallic pieces called kemanaks that add special sounds to the music.

Voices join in. Singers called sindhen (women) or gerong (men) add their voices to gamelan performances, creating a complete musical experience that blends instruments and human singing together.

A living tradition. Gamelan music has been played in Indonesia, especially in Java and Bali, for hundreds of years, and orchestras still perform it today at celebrations and cultural events.