Capture the exotic sights and sounds of Indonesia with this classroom gamelan pack for
20 players. This is a set of
standard instruments based on the musical traditions of Java, Bali, and Sumatra and includes:
- 3x gongs (30cm 'kenong', 50cm 'kempul' , 80cm 'ageng')
- 1x Balinese double headed 'ciblon' drum
- 6x metallophone gamelans (2 small, 2 medium, and 2 large)
- 10x sets of 'ceng ceng' Balinese cymbals
- Beaters for all the instruments
- 2 different teaching guides by World Music expert Andy Gleadhill
As with the budget set, the gong frames can be dismantled for easy transportation and all metallophones have rubber bases to protect the floor. The standard set features higher quality metal components than the budget range and make a stronger, rounder sound.
Like all the classroom gamelan packs the instruments are tuned to the
pelog selisir scale and have a combined range of three octaves. The Balinese drum is made of jackfruit wood with cow-skin heads and the gongs feature an extra resonant bronze centre.
Each of the classroom packs come in two versions - budget and standard. All instruments are made in Bali and decorated in traditional colours so look and sound authentic. Unlike conventional gamelan sets which are each forged and tuned uniquely, the instruments in these packs have been standardised to make it possible for schools to add to their orchestra at a later date. Here's some footage of one of Andy's workshops featuring instruments from the
standard range:
The peculiar pentatonic music has been a feature of Indonesian culture for at least 1500 years, and is traditionally played at weddings, funerals, and religious festivals, as well as the famous
Wayang Kulit shadow puppet shows. Ensembles vary greatly, with some including flutes, bowed strings, and singers.
The music they play is written down using numbers, a system known as cipher notation. The comprehensive teaching guide supplied with the gamelan contains 10 songs to play using a simplified cipher, as well as lesson plans, explanations of playing techniques and a detailed history of the music.
20 | cpigb20s | cpigb20s | CPIGB20S
