Balinese Gamelan: Instruments

Core Instruments

Gong, Jegog

Calung, Penyacah

The core instruments lay out the basic melody and structure of the music. The gong marks the cyclical end of the piece, the calung plays a simplified melody and the Jegog doubles the melody of the Calung at a lower octave.

The Gangsa

The Gansa section of the ensemble is made up of the Ugal, Kantilan and Pemade. The Ugal, the lower pitched of the three, usually plays the core melody or the elaboration of it. The other two instruments decorate the core melody with the interlocking, rapid patterns(Ketokan).

The Kettle Gongs

The kettle gongs of the Balinese gamelan ensemble are called the Trompong and Reyong. They have a variety of uses, depending on the type of gamelan they are used in. They can be solo instruments or as an decoration of the musical piece. They are also used for rapid patterns, similar to the gangsa.