A gambang, properly called a gambang kayu ('wooden gambang') is a xylophone-like instrument used among people of Indonesia in gamelan and kulintang, with wooden bars as opposed to the metallic ones of the more typical metallophones in a gamelan. A largely obsolete instrument, the gambang gangsa, is a similar instrument made with metal bars.
The bars of the instrument are made of a se wood, generally teak. It also found in ironwood (kayu besi). The bars mounted in a deep wooden case that serves as a resonator. Instruments typically have 17-21 keys that are easily removed, and are kept in place by having a hole through which a nail is placed. Generally a full gamelan has two sets, one gambang pelog and the other one gambang slendro.
A pair of long thin mallets (tabuh), made of flexible water buffalo horn tipped with felt, are used to play the instrument. Gambangs are generally played in parallel octaves (gembyang). Occasionally, other styles of playing are employed such as playing kempyung which are playing two notes separated by two keys. Unlike most other gamelan instruments, no dampening is required, as the wood does not ring like the metal keys of other instruments.
The gambang is used in a number of gamelan ensembles. It is most notable in the Balinesegamelan Gambang. In Javanese wayang, it is used by itself to accompany the dalang in certain chants. Within a full gamelan, it stands out somewhat because of the high speed of playing, and contrasting timbre because of its materials and more because it has a wider melodic range than the other instruments.
In Javanese gamelan, the gambang plays cengkok like the other elaborating instruments. However, the repertoire of cengkok for the gambang is more rudimentary than for other instruments (for instance, the gendér), and a great deal of variation is accepted.
Gambang gangsa
The gambang gangsa has a similar construction, although it generally has fewer keys (typically 15) and is thus somewhat smaller. It has largely been replaced by the saron family of instruments. It was formerly thought to have been a forerunner of the one-octave saron, although more recent evidence, including the appearance of the saron in reliefs at Borobudur in the 9th century, indicate that the instruments are of the same age or that the one-octave saron is older.
In early 19th century writings on the Javanese gamelan, it seems to have been played like the gambang kayu; that is, as an elaborating instrument. Later, by 1890, it seems to have merely substituted for a saron, and have been restricted to a small range. Mantle Hood associated this use of limited range to a preference for certain octave arrangements of the cadences in various pathet.
See, Yee-Seer. (2002). Gambang, Indonesian Gamelan Main Site. Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Northern Illinois University. http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Indonesian/Budaya_Bangsa/Gamelan/Javanese_Gamelan/counter-melody/gambang.htm, accessed 10 March 2006.
Mantle Hood. The Nuclear Theme as a Determinant of Pathet in Javanese Music. New York: Da Capo, 1977. Page 240-242 is a discussion of the gambang gangsa.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gambang.
NIU site, with audio excerpt
March 16, 2023
gambang, instrument, gambang, properly, called, gambang, kayu, wooden, gambang, xylophone, like, instrument, used, among, people, indonesia, gamelan, kulintang, with, wooden, bars, opposed, metallic, ones, more, typical, metallophones, gamelan, largely, obsole. A gambang properly called a gambang kayu wooden gambang is a xylophone like instrument used among people of Indonesia in gamelan and kulintang with wooden bars as opposed to the metallic ones of the more typical metallophones in a gamelan A largely obsolete instrument the gambang gangsa is a similar instrument made with metal bars GambangClassificationPercussion instrument IdiophoneDevelopedIndonesia Contents 1 Gambang kayu 2 Gambang gangsa 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksGambang kayu EditThe bars of the instrument are made of a se wood generally teak It also found in ironwood kayu besi The bars mounted in a deep wooden case that serves as a resonator Instruments typically have 17 21 keys that are easily removed and are kept in place by having a hole through which a nail is placed Generally a full gamelan has two sets one gambang pelog and the other one gambang slendro A pair of long thin mallets tabuh made of flexible water buffalo horn tipped with felt are used to play the instrument Gambangs are generally played in parallel octaves gembyang Occasionally other styles of playing are employed such as playing kempyung which are playing two notes separated by two keys Unlike most other gamelan instruments no dampening is required as the wood does not ring like the metal keys of other instruments The gambang is used in a number of gamelan ensembles It is most notable in the Balinese gamelan Gambang In Javanese wayang it is used by itself to accompany the dalang in certain chants Within a full gamelan it stands out somewhat because of the high speed of playing and contrasting timbre because of its materials and more because it has a wider melodic range than the other instruments In Javanese gamelan the gambang plays cengkok like the other elaborating instruments However the repertoire of cengkok for the gambang is more rudimentary than for other instruments for instance the gender and a great deal of variation is accepted Gambang gangsa EditThe gambang gangsa has a similar construction although it generally has fewer keys typically 15 and is thus somewhat smaller It has largely been replaced by the saron family of instruments It was formerly thought to have been a forerunner of the one octave saron although more recent evidence including the appearance of the saron in reliefs at Borobudur in the 9th century indicate that the instruments are of the same age or that the one octave saron is older In early 19th century writings on the Javanese gamelan it seems to have been played like the gambang kayu that is as an elaborating instrument Later by 1890 it seems to have merely substituted for a saron and have been restricted to a small range Mantle Hood associated this use of limited range to a preference for certain octave arrangements of the cadences in various pathet See also Edit Music portal Indonesia portalGangsa GabbangReferences EditSee Yee Seer 2002 Gambang Indonesian Gamelan Main Site Center for Southeast Asian Studies Northern Illinois University http www seasite niu edu Indonesian Budaya Bangsa Gamelan Javanese Gamelan counter melody gambang htm accessed 10 March 2006 Mantle Hood The Nuclear Theme as a Determinant of Pathet in Javanese Music New York Da Capo 1977 Page 240 242 is a discussion of the gambang gangsa External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gambang NIU site with audio excerpt Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gambang instrument amp oldid 1142233224, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
