Gamelan musicians

In Batubulan, Bali, gamelan musicians perform, as seen from the rear side of the orchestra. Two men, wearing red pants, long-sleeved blue shirts, and red and gold embroidered headscarves hold their mallets just above their intricately carved and painted metallophone instruments. (Learn more)

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Both Java and Bali have large traditional orchestral ensembles and musical repertoires known as gamelan. A gamelan typically features an array of instruments, including metallophones, tuned gongs, chimes, xylophones, and drums. Sometimes flutes, stringed instruments, and singers are also included. The instruments that comprise a gamelan are created and tuned as a whole; they are not simply brought together for an individual performance.

Gamelan music constitutes the main element of Indonesian traditional music. It is performed at ritual ceremonies and community celebrations, and provides accompaniment for shadow puppet shows and dance performances.

Learn more about Bali, Batubulan, Indonesia, gamelan, instruments, metallophones, music, and orchestras.