History of Kamelan in West Java : WaMod
An essential tool for the West Java Gamelan and Matte
An important instrument in the West Javanese gamelan and made of bamboo will be discussed this time. Before the emergence of modern musical instruments in Indonesia, each region had its own traditional musical instruments. Each classical instrument has its own uniqueness, different ways of playing and history, so it is very interesting.
West Java is one of the regions with many regional musical instruments, which are still preserved today. Speaking of traditional musical instruments from West Java, of course many of us think of Anglung. It is undeniable that Anglung is the most popular musical instrument.
But did you know that there are still many traditional West Javanese musical instruments that are still preserved today? All traditional musical instruments should be made of natural materials such as wood, bamboo, copper, etc. Each use of the ingredients inevitably gives a different effect to the sound produced.
That’s why we’ll review more about Camlan in West Java made of both bamboo, wood and copper. Before we go further, it’s a good idea to know what camillon is in general and how the history of its development in West Java is.
Learn about The West Java Gamelan
The West Javanese game and many people may have a question of what is meant by an important instrument. But it would be good if we first knew what the West Javanese Camelon was called the Dikung. The Tegung is a traditional band with many musical instruments.
In general, Camlan consists of xylophone, culander, kentang, rebab, kang, flute dikung, xylophone, bonang, banners, lyre, genklang, sharon. Each of these instruments produces different sounds or sounds so that it becomes a harmonious melody as a characteristic of traditional music or songs.
Each gameline has its own characteristics, for example, the Balinese camelan, a slow tempo for the Javanese gamelan, and the West Javanese gamelan that corresponds to the Mendayu-Daeu sounds from rebab and flute. Both are made from important tools and natural materials in West Java .
According to history, the word Tegung comes from the word Ratu-agung or Tumengung, because at that time the authorities were very fond of Camlan music, for example, the Pandung RAA. Regent of Viranatakuzuma. In addition, there are other theories that deal with the origin of the word degung, namely something large and honorable.
History of Kamelan in West Java
In this article we will discuss the history of the development of the west Javanese camelon and the main tools made from natural materials. It is estimated that in the late 18th or early 19th century, the Sundanese camelan began to evolve by introducing 15 camelon devices and already spreading throughout Java.
Of the 15 camillon devices, West Java has 5 camillon devices. Unfortunately, there is no definite information when Camillon entered West Java, but it is recorded that The Kemalan entered the Sundanian land in the 16th century according to the Chang Hyang Chiksa Kanda Nang Karesian manuscript.
Changes occurred in The Sundanese Camelan during its development, such as singing in a game prohibited by the Regent of Sianzur RT. Fifth Viranatakuzuma because he thought it had become less sacred and that the essence of silence had disappeared. However, it was this change that made West Java Camillon have the characteristics it now has.
There are 3 types of camelons in Tana Sunda, which have their respective applications, namely, Salendro or Belac Kemanlan, Renteng Kemanlan, and typewriter Kemanlan Tulu. Camillon Salendro is often used in art, the camillon renteng, also known as the basic camel, and the camillon type tulu, which is commonly used as sub-music.
Made of Camlan bamboo
An important tool in the West Javanese camel and made of bamboo is the Kalung Camillon instrument. Looking at it, we should already be aware that the main material for making this traditional camillon instrument is bamboo. Bamboos will then be arranged to create rows of swaras played.
Selambang Camillon tools are also made of bamboo or bamboo leather. To create sound, Selambung uses vibration in bamboo sections, which are arranged in a row according to the resulting tone. How to play it by attacking the sembang using one hand, and regulating sound processing on the other.
Multitonal anglung tools are also made of bamboo and can produce double tones so that they can again be adjusted to your needs. How to play it is very easy, i.e. by shaking it until it produces a sound according to the tone. The sound appears under the influence of bamboo and inner bamboo pieces, causing vibration.
Not only are the three main tools in the West Javanese Camel , but not only those made of bamboo above, but there are also many tools, such as flute, arumpa, and caring for humans. Bamboo material is actually one of the natural materials that can emit a variety of sounds according to the techniques used.
Gamelan metal matte
An important tool made of the first metal in the West Javanese Gamelen is the Saron. The Gamelan instrument entering the Balungan family uses a special bat made of wood. The way to play it is to hit the metal blade with the right hand, while the left hand holds the previous blade.
The next tool is a demang with an almost saron-like appearance. There are two different varieties in this balungan family, namely Belac and Slendro, which produce a compatible sound. Demung has blades that are wider, but thinner than saron. The Demung grower is large in size in size.
You’ll also find an important instrument in the West Javanese gameline, and it is made of a metal called bonang. This musical instrument consists of several small bells placed on a rope on a wooden frame, each small bell capable of creating a different tone when it is hit with a bat.
In addition, there are still some tools made of metal, such as Kenang, Kang, Xylophone, Kembul, and so on in the Western Javanese Camelon. Most musical instruments made of metal are musical instruments that are beaten using a special bat.
Gamelan Made of Wood
An important instrument made of West Javanese sport and wood is the drum. This hand-beaten camillan instrument has a function to set the rhythm in the Camillon band. In Camlan, a variety of kentang is known, from small kendang (getipang) to large kendong.
Another tool is rebab, which, although mostly made of copper, now has many rebabs made of wood with a cross-bow-like shape. The way to play it, just like you play a modern instrument, is to swipe the strings, i.e. the violin by swiping the strings with a special instrument.
In addition, there is still another camillon instrument called the sitter, which is a musical instrument that is played by choice. Until now, this gamelen instrument is rarely played, even if it is less interesting than other string musical instruments. The reason is that the instrument has similarities with traditional Indian musical instruments.
There are still many important instruments in the West Javanese gameline, but some of the above are some of the most popular musical instruments. For those of you who are interested in sundanese gamelan, it is important to know the main tools made of bamboo in West Java Camlan and above.