GENERAL MUSICAL APPROACH

Longer pieces are often created by linking together various interrelated pokok; transitional phrases may be used to accomplish the linking (see Penyembrama in Appendix 4). This can be a known pattern with a fixed number of repetitions of each pokok (as shown in part 1 of Penyembrama) or special drum signals often can be used to signal such transitions if needed (as used in part 3 of Penyembrama). The latter may be needed if the dancers improvise thus requiring alteration of a fixed series of pokok.

In Java there are 5 different speeds to play the pokok (irama 1/2, 1, 2, 3, and 4). Often pieces are played at several different irama as is signaled by the drum. The pokok may remain the same, but the elaborating instruments' patterns may change greatly. In Bali, it seems that there is no formal notion equivalent to Irama. However, although each piece is designed to be played at roughly Javanese Irama 2, through doubling (gangsar), quadrupling (rangkep), or using other patterns the pokok can be spread over a long time; see the earlier discussion of Penyembrama Part 3. Also the kotekan can have varying lengths thus implying the notion of irama.

RETURN TO HOMEPAGE FOR GAMELAN BALI

Updated on April 5, 1996.