Gamelan degung

Music of Indonesia
Kempul gongs from Java
Timeline Samples
Genres
Classical Kecak Kecapi suling Tembang sunda Pop Indo Dance-pop Dangdut Hip hop Kroncong Gambang kromong Gambus Jaipongan Langgam jawa Pop Batak Pop Minang Pop Sunda Qasidah modern Rock Tapanuli ogong Tembang jawa
Specific forms
Gamelan Angklung Beleganjur Degung Gambang Gender Wayang Gong gede Gong kebyar Jegog Joged bumbung Salendro Selunding Semar pegulingan
Regional music
Bali Borneo Java Moluccan Islands Papua Sulawesi Sumatra Sunda

Gamelan Degung is a Sundanese musical ensemble that uses a subset of modified gamelan instruments with a particular mode of pelog scale. The instruments are manufactured under local conditions in towns in West Java such as Bogor.^[1] Degung music is often played at public gatherings in West Java, such as at local elections, as well as many other events.^[2] There is international interest in degung as well amongst communities in other countries interested in Indonesia and gamelan music.^[3]

Instruments

Closeup of a gong from gamelan degung

The instrumentation of gamelan degung is quite flexible. It may include:

• Bonang/kolènang: two rows of seven small bulbous gongs. It differs from its Javanese counterpart in that the rows are each placed on either side of the player.
• Saron/peking: a high-pitched bronze metallophone with fourteen keys.
• Panerus: another bronze metallophone, similar to the peking but pitched an octave lower.
• Jengglong: six bulbous gongs suspended from the same frame.
• Goong ageung: a large gong.
• A set of kendang, consisting of one large and two small double-sided drums.
• Suling degung: a four-holed bamboo flute.
• Gambang: a wooden xylophone.

Sundanese Gamelan Degung.

Sundanese students playing gamelan degung on the street.

In classical degung, the bonang serves as a conductor for the whole ensemble. Except in certain modern compositions, it is rarely absent.

References

1. Retno K. Djojo, 'For the love of music', The Jakarta Post, 29 January 2010.
2. Theresia Sufa, 'Sundanese music and dance liven election day in Bogor', The Jakarta Post, 26 October 2008.
3. Dewi Anggraeni, 'Melbourne: Gamelan, elephants and 'Jackpot', The Jakarta Post, 22 February 2004.