Instruments & ensembles

If string and wind are the raison d'être of a symphonic orchestra, keys and gongs are the raison d'être of a gamelan. They are the two main important and typical types that make up gamelans, the two basic forms. Both are present in most gamelans, even if this is not a criterion of definition. There are indeed gamelans made up exclusively of gongs and gamelans made up exclusively of keys, apart from drums and cymbals. The rénténg ensemble of Java or the bebonangan ensemble of Bali are examples of gamelan without keys. The salunding ensemble is an example of gamelan without gongs. These peculiar gamelans are as interesting as rare and their music is as mysterious as ancient. They are underestimated, compared to the more common gamelans. In a gamelan, gongs and keys are melodic percussion. This is what enables gamelan to be a melodic music without using wind, voice or string. These exist as secondary elements and are not vital to gamelan music. A third type of instrument is important in gamelan. It comprises drums and cymbals. Drums back up and conduct the rhythm. Cymbals take part to the drums' actions and to the gamelan's metallic sound. Often in Bali, one uses cymbals and other percussion in polyrhythmies that are their own. Drums and cymbals are non-melodic percussion. The manufacture of instruments involves as many traditional craftsmanship as metallurgy, acoustics, magic, wood sculpture, wood painting, leather work, bamboo work.

Wilahan and peñcon

In Javanese, wilah refers to a knife's blade, including that of a kris, or it designates a lath. The same word refers to the gamelan keys. A wilah is not necessarily a sharp blade like one of a knife, it could be translated as lath, plate or bar. Instruments with keys are said wilahan, in Javanese, because they have wilah (wilah + an). Lets point out that gamelan bronze keys are of the same metal as a kris blade and that they are charged of supernatural power as a kris is. Gongs have a peñcu and are said peñcon, in Javanese (peñcu + an). One could therefore consider wilahan and peñcon as generic terms for instruments with keys on one hand and gongs on the other. But caution, keys with a peñcu exist ! Instruments with such keys are thus wilahan and peñcon at the same time but they are rare.