• Many has been written about it
• The "Why" and "How"
• My limitation: Javanese gamelan
  • Tonight's performance: Sundanese
• Orientation for tonight's audience

Introduction

• Gamel: to hit
• Referring to the group of instruments
• Each instruments
  • Own name
  • Own function
  • Own playing rule

Gamelan

• Rawit: small, refine
• Referring to the art
• Aspects of, e.g.
  • Aesthetics
  • Ethics
  • Spirituality

Karawitan

• Melodic function
• Skeletal framework
• Punctuation of melodies
• Direction of tempo, dynamics, rhythm

Function of Instruments

• Laras: tuning system
• Pathet
  • Music: system of modal category
  • Wayang: time division of the performance
• Garap: realization of a music piece
  • Notation: as a guide/framework
  • Realization: decision and skill of musician

Organization of Music

• Dhalang: puppet master
• (one) Etymology: angudal piwulang
  • One that gives guidance / teachings
• Leading the gamelan through signs
• Serves roles in society, e.g.:
  • To provide beauty in art
  • Giving philosophical and spiritual guidance
  • Entertainment for the people

Dhalang

• Working together towards a goal
• To feel like one family
• Understanding one role in the whole
  • Functions of one's instrument
• Ki Hadjar Dewantara's maxim
  • The front is giving examples
  • The middle is doing good efforts
  • The back is providing supports

Performing as a Collective

• Listening to one another
• Orienting oneself in the music
• To know what to perform, how, when
• Assisting the Dhalang in realizing performance

Listening

• Collective practice as interpersonal skills
• Cultivating one's responsibility in the society
  • Instrument practice
  • Instrument function
• Spiritual / ethical practice and contemplation
  • Symbolism of sound
  • Symbolism of the system

A Path of Self Training