"Gamelan gets its name from the low Javanese word 'gamel', which means a type of hammer, like a blacksmith's hammer. The name 'gamelan' refers to the method of playing the instruments - by striking them - as they are almost entirely percussion." (Lindsay, J. (1979). Javanese Gamelan. Oxford: Oxford University Press, p.9)
"The bronze gamelan instruments are made from a mixture of copper and tin; three parts tin to ten parts copper." (Lindsay,1979, p.19) Click here to see some pictures at a gongsmith's of gongs being made.
The kethuk, kempyang, kenong, kempul and gong support the kendhang in defining the structure and setting the speed. Their names are onomatopoeic; the names sound like the sounds made by the instruments
The gender, rebab, gambang, suling and celempung, also elaborate on the melodic line. They are used in an ensemble of softer instruments and in quieter pieces. The gender or rebab act as melodic leader in these ensembles. The gambang has wooden keys.
Singers have a role in gamelan that is comparable with other instruments. The singers are usually organised as a solo female voice (pesindhen) and a male chorus (gerong).
Photo of gender
Photo of rebab
