This latest version includes references to commercial cassettes (Lokananta,
Kusuma etc.).
During my last stay in Kartasura (14 February to 9 May 2004) I gave
a copy of my notations to Pak Lumbini
who is a graduate of STSI and a son of one of its founders. He
corrected errors in the notations and
added dots to indicate high or low octaves. Sometimes he added
alternative balungan, when
several versions of the same piece are frequently used. Athough some
ambiguities and some errors still remain,
this is a much better version than the last one. I also added new
pieces which I have played during
my kendhang lessons. These pieces were given to me by my kendhang
teacher, Pak Muryono of Ngawonggo. Since aroud 2010 several
pieces from the Mangkunegaran repertoire have been added, mailnly
gendhing bonang Pélog and dances. A larger font is being used to
improve readability.
The second file contains pieces from Batu, some East Javanese, some central
Javanese, which I played with the group of dr. Djoko, a family doctor and
dhalang who has his own gamelan group.
You will need the KepatihanPro font to see everything properly. You may download the font from the American Gamelan Institute's site.
In all files referenced below sometimes the KepatihanPro font is used.
All notations using the older Kepatihan font have now been replaced by
KepatihanPro.
Unfortunately, the KepatihanPro font is a bit thin, Courier New Bold is better
readable (for me at least).
Dr. Djoko uses a mix of East Javanese and Central Javanese gêndhing. The pieces from Central Java (Solonese) often differed in details from the versions which I knew.
The file vormen.doc (Dutch) contains an explanation of structures in gamelan music and a word list. Last update : 6 Aug. 2004. <
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-Elementary explanations about gamelan structures (in Dutch, MS-Word 6 format) 100 kB
A very useful American web site is Barry Drummond's page at The California Institute of the Arts (CalArts or the Donald Duck University because they are sponsored by Walt Disney.) This site also features a word list.
-Gamêlan Bharata play the very popular gêndhing Disko.
The demon Buta Cakil dances Disco with the Panakawan (clown-servants).
Kêndhang: Wiyono.
Recorded Dec. 1980 by Rob van Albada.
-A female singer (pêsindhen) takes singing lessons.
The teacher plays the gênder. Batu (home of Dr. Djoko Santoso) 2000.
Recording by Rob van Albada
-Tayuban in Jarak.
Jarak is a red-light district in Surabaya. The guests of a bar sometimes invite
a gamêlan to perform a tayuban, in which they are allowed to dance with the (female)
singer.
Here, a group of four men drinking beer in one of the bars sent an invitation
to the gamelan group. The instruments were loaded on a wooden cart, secured with rope,
and brought to the site: the alley (gang) in front of the bar. The bar was a
smallish room were four men were sitting with one local girl.
In this fragment the singer is still dressing and her part is sung by
one of the gamêlan players (a man).
2001: Unfortunately, this gamelan now has been sold to someone outside the area.
Recorded July 10th, 2000 by Rob van Albada.
-Longer fragment of the above in MP3 format.
-Tayuban in Kaliangêt:
During a wedding ceremony, a female singer dances and sings with (male) members
of the public. Here one of the guests is singing. There is only one mike, which changes hands
from man to woman and vice-versa.Kaliangêt is a village near Sumenep, in East
Madura. It is well-known for its salt industry.
Recorded in 1991 by Rob van Albada.
-Tembang macapat in Kalianget:
The reading of Têmbang macapat is still popular in Madura. Curiously, not Madurese, but
Javanese texts are being read. Têmbang macapat is traditional verse. The most popular
text is the Sêrat Yusup, the story of Joseph, which is being read here at the home
of Kyai Hamze.
Recorded 7 September 1989 by Rob van Albada.
More sound examples forthcoming soon.