Introducing: Classical Javanese

Javanese Gamelan Instruments (Source of image)

 

 

Classical Javanese music is played by an ensemble called a gamelan ensemble. A gamelan ensemble consists of mostly metal percussion instruments, as well as drums, wooden percussion instruments, string instruments and bamboo flutes. This site has a good, general, easy-to-understand introduction of Javanese gamelan music.

 

Here are some of the instruments in the Javanese gamelan ensemble:

 

The Bonang (Source)

 

There are three kinds of Saron instruments, which are metallophones. This is one of them: the Demung. It is the largest of the Saron group, and has the lowest pitch. (Source)

 

 

The Saron, or Saron Barung It is slightly smaller than the Demung, and has a slightly higher pitch.(Source)

 

 

The Peking, or Saron Panerus. It is the smallest of the Saron group, and has the highest pitch (i.e. higher octave than Saron Barung). (Source)

PS: It may not be extremely clear in the pictures, but have you noticed that you can actually tell the three Saron instruments apart by the size of their metal keys? (:

 

 

The Slenthem (Source)

 

 

The Gendèr (Source).

Although the gendèr and slenthem look alike, we can straightaway see two key differences. Number one, the gendèr is played with two mallets, while the slenthem is played with only one. Number two, the gendèr has a lot more keys than the slenthem.

 

The Gongs (Source).

The largest one is called Gong Ageng, the slightly smaller one is called Gong Suwuk, and the smallest ones are called Kempul.

 

 

The Kenong (Source)

 

 

The Kendhang (Source)

 

 

On the left is the Kethuk, and on the right is a kettle gong of the Kempyang. While the kethuk exists as a single kettle gong, the kempyang occurs as two kettle gongs. (Source)