World-in-Music 3

For young people it is normal to learn gamelan music primarily by ear, emphasizing the skills of listening and memorisation. Introductory workshops on a full set of gamelan instruments allow participants to get to grips with basic instrument techniques and rhythms. Within a short time a sense of group indentity is gained. As this ‘instant ensemble’ begins to cohese, very interesting music is being made.

Pupils continue to work in once or twice weekly sessions, either using the gamelan itself or translating their gamelan experiences onto western instruments. Processes of exploration and creativity unfold. Short pieces emerge, where the music can be simple, groovy and beat oriented, and where frequently all members of the group pitch in to help one another. With an increased awareness of music making, they return to the gamelan to further explore the new music they have made, now infused with cross-cultural implications.

The sounds of Indonesian instruments are coherent and relaxing. The tonalities seem to function on several levels at once, helping pupils make better sense of western instruments. During these sessions, creative music approaches and game structures such as those found in Orff work help unlock the mysteries of the composer-performer. Performances at the conclusion of the project allow the children to show their compositions on both western and gamelan instruments.