Gamelan degung

Music of Indonesia
Kempul gongs from Java
Timeline Samples
Genres
Classical Kecak Kecapi suling Tembang sunda Pop Indo Dance-pop Dangdut Hip hop Kroncong Gambang kromong Gambus Jaipongan Langgam jawa Pop Batak Pop Minang Pop Sunda Qasidah modern Rock Tapanuli ogong Tembang jawa
Specific forms
Gamelan Angklung Beleganjur Degung Gambang Gender Wayang Gong gede Gong kebyar Jegog Joged bumbung Salendro Selunding Semar pegulingan
Regional music
Bali Borneo Java Moluccan Islands Papua Sulawesi Sumatra Sunda

Gamelan Degung is a Sundanese musical ensemble that uses a subset of modified gamelan instruments with a particular mode of pelog scale. The instruments are manufactured under local conditions in towns in West Java such as Bogor.^[1] Degung music is often played at public gatherings in West Java, such as at local elections, as well as many other events.^[2] There is international interest in degung as well amongst communities in other countries interested in Indonesia and gamelan music.^[3]

Instruments

Closeup of a gong from gamelan degung

The instrumentation of gamelan degung is quite flexible. It may include:

• Bonang/kolènang: two rows of seven small bulbous gongs. It differs from its Javanese counterpart in that the rows are each placed on either side of the player.
• Saron/peking: a high-pitched bronze metallophone with fourteen keys.
• Panerus: another bronze metallophone, similar to the peking but pitched an octave lower.
• Jengglong: six bulbous gongs suspended from the same frame.
• Goong ageung: a large gong.
• A set of kendang, consisting of one large and two small double-sided drums.
• Suling degung: a four-holed bamboo flute.
• Gambang: a wooden xylophone.

Sundanese Gamelan Degung.

Sundanese students playing gamelan degung on the street.

In classical degung, the bonang serves as a conductor for the whole ensemble. Except in certain modern compositions, it is rarely absent.

References

Gamelan
Theory	Pelog Slendro Pathet Cengkok Seleh Sekaran Imbal & kotekan Gatra Colotomy Gendhing structures Irama Gamelan notation
Genres & ensembles	Gamelan angklung Gamelan bebonangan Gamelan beleganjur Gamelan degung Gamelan gadhon Gamelan gambang Gamelan gender wayang Gamelan gong gede Gamelan gong kebyar Gamelan jegog Gamelan joged bumbung Gamelan munggang Gamelan salendro Gamelan sekaten Gamelan selunding Gamelan semar pegulingan Gamelan siteran Gamelan surakarta
Musicians	Evan Ziporyn Gamelan Sekar Jaya Gamelan Son of Lion I Nyoman Windha K. P. H. Notoprojo List of U.S. gamelan ensembles Michael Tenzer
Instruments	Colotomic or phrase-making Kempyang Ketuk Kempul Kenong Gong Gong ageng Balungan or melody Saron peking Saron panerus Saron barung Saron demung Slentem Slentho Bonang barung Bonang panerus Bonang panembung Panerusan or elaborating Gender Gender panerus Gambang Siter Celempung Suling Rebab Unpitched Kendang gending Kendang ciblon Kendang ketipung Bedug Kecer Kemanak Kepyak Vocals and clapping Gerongan Sindenan Pesinden Alok Senggakan Keplok