Types of Indonesian Gongs

Indonesian gongs are percussion instruments that have a unique, bowl-like appearance, and a round knob in the center. They're commonly used in traditional gamelan music ensembles. A gamelan is an Indonesian percussion orchestra, which also plays a melody. Flutes and singing are also included in gamelans.

History

Javanese Gamelan

Indonesian gongs have been around since the 9th century AD. Gongs first appeared in Chinese history around 500 AD, but archaeologists have found gongs from earlier centuries.

Over time, gongs spread from China to Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. The term "gong" was coined by the Indonesians.

Types

The gamelan is the most popular form of music in Indonesia, and gongs play a key role within it.

Indonesian gamelans use gongs in a variety of pitches. Hanging gongs are often pitched for bass, mid-voice, and treble. Rack-stand gongs and hand-held gongs are pitched for specific scales called "slendr" and "pelog."

Two main types of Indonesian gongs of the gamelan ensemble are hanging gongs, consisting of gong ageng (largest), gong siyem (second largest), and kempul (medium-size), and horizontally mounted tuned gongs, consisting of kenong (medium), ketuk (medium), engkok/kemong (2 small slendro-tuned), kempyang (2 small pelog-tuned), bonang barung (2 rows of small gongs).

Significance

In Indonesia, the time honored techniques of gong making are closely guarded secrets that are passed down from one generation to the next. It is believed that ancestral spirits guide the gong maker as he creates the instrument, and that gongs can give people happiness and strength.

Indonesian gongs and Indonesian gamelan music are known throughout the world. Today, gamelan ensembles can be found in many Western countries, and Indonesian gongs are used in Western orchestras, narrowing a cultural and artistic gap.

Considerations

The vibration of a gong is greatest near the vertex or highest point. The vibrations get weaker as they get near the rim.

Gong ensembles take up a lot of space, for the large number of instruments and around 40 players. If you're planning a gamelan concert, make sure you have enough room.

Indonesian gongs are made of bronze, the largest being around 1.25 m in diameter. The role of the gong in the gamelan is primarily to keep the beat.

Expert Insight

If you'd like to hear Indonesian gongs and gamelans, you can find currently active groups in the United States at the American Gamelan Institute's website. This site provides a gamelan directory that serves as a communication network for gamelan performers and enthusiasts. The site also provides podcasts, a library, and a list of gamelan composers.

Resources

• Listen to the Gongs of a Gamelan Orchestra
• Description of Indonesian Gongs
• link to gamelan directories