Some of the most fascinating music comes from ancient folk music. Rather than try to dress up their music with electronics, most native music is very raw. Native orchestras also often use wood for all of the instruments, which may seem primitive but it makes for a great beat. A gamelan orchestra comes from Indonesia, and is just one of the many types of orchestras that come from around the world.
Instruments
A gamelan orchestra can be made up of a number of instruments. Some of the instruments included in a gamelan orchestra are bamboo flutes, metallophones, bowed and plucked strings, xylophones, drums and gongs. Sometimes a gamelan orchestra will also include a singer.
History
A gamelan orchestra is a type of orchestra that was originated on the Indonesian island of Bali. A gamelan orchestra is a native art form from a group called the Javanese. In Javanese mythology a gamelan was created by Sang Hyang Guru. Sang Hyang Guru was a god that ruled Java from on top of a mount. Sang Hyang Guru was said to have a gong that summoned the gods and a series of gongs to play messages to them. This was the first gamelan set.
Types
There are many types of gamelan orchestras and most of them are named after the instrument that is most prominent in that version of the gamelan orchestra. The gamelan angklung features an angklung, which is a flute made out of bamboo. The gamelan gambang features a gambang, which is a xylophone-like instrument with wooden bars. The gamelan gong gede features several gongs.
Function
The main function of a gamelan orchestra is to perform at rituals or ceremony for the Javanese. These rituals will often include a gamelan orchestra and dancing puppet performances. Most members of a gamelan orchestra know dance as well. Occasionally a gamelan orchestra might perform for something other than a ritual but a ritual will almost never taken place without a gamelan orchestra.
Influence
Many Western composers have classical music have been influenced by gamelan music. Some of the composers influenced by gamelan music include John Cage, Claude Debussy, Lou Harrison, Olivier Messiaen Peter Sculthorpe and many more. There is also gamelan music in the anime Akira, as well as video games such as Sonic Unleashed and Secret of Mana.
