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This is an information page for players in the regular Durham 'Performance' Group which meets on Wednesday afternoons during term time

I will update the main section of the page with some comments about what we did and also use this to pass on information about what is coming up and other background.

The handouts section lets you view and print your own copies of materials used in the sessions and more

Info for Durham Gamelan Group  

Autumn 2009

Repertoire

Lancaran Kembang Jeruk: We will play this every week and get everybody really familiar with every instrument in Lancaran form.

Ladrang Wilujeng: The most played of all Javanese pieces again we will use this to learn on.

Srepegan / Sampak manyura: A short form used for battle scenes etc in the wayang - some complex playing including interlocking 'imbal' patterns on bonang and saron, tempo changes and busy gong and kenong playing.

Ladrang Mugirahayu: We will play this in Jogja style this year and with dance drumming.

Ladrang Pangkur sl sanga: Another classic piece which can slow right down into irama wilet - this is our ambitious number this year.

Theory

  • Javanese terms
  • Principles of Karawitan 
  • Names and functions of the instruments
  • Colotomic structure

Practice

Within this there are three stages - an understanding of what should be played; an ability to play it with support; an ability to play it in performance mode.

  • Balungan instruments - including damping
  • Punctuation instruments in Lancaran and Ladrang forms
  • Ornamentation in Lancaran form
    • bonang barung
    • bonang panerus
  • Sundanese piece - all instruments
  • Srepegan form
  • Mipil patterns (using Ladrang Pariwisata)
    • Irama Tanggung / Bonang Barung
    • Irama Tanggung / Bonang Panerus
    • Irama Dados / Bonang Barung
    • Irama Dados / Bonang Panerus
  • Saron imbal

Resources  
Durham Gamelan performance
Recordings of the May 14th performance are here. But be warned they are very large files.
Group rehearsal recordings
Recent recordings of the group intended for educational purposes rather than as public material!
Four Principles of Karawitan
An insight into the philosophy behind the music
The Instruments
Pictures of the instruments with their names
Lancaran Rena Rena - notation
Notation for Lancaran Rena Rena
Ornamentation - notes
Notes on methods of ornamentation
Sunda Notation
A 'score' for the Sundanese piece
Sunda Colotomic structure
Diagram building up the piece from its important notes
Sunda recording
The Sundanese piece as played at a workshop led by 'Samba Sunda'
Ladrang Parawisata recording
Full version of Ladrang Parawisata by Javanese musicians - includes vocals and soft instruments
Parawisata notation
Includes bonang and peking patterns
Glossary
Some useful Javanese words
Parawisata in Durham
A Durham group playing Parawisata (2006) with Alec playing gender
Parawisata demo
Demonstration of bonang part - first line
2nd year performance
Recordings of the 2nd year performance are here. But be warned they are very large files.