Gamelan in Modern Indonesia (MUSI20138)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject explores the gong/chime cultures of Southeast Asia by focusing on the percussion-based practice of the Central Javanese orchestra or gamelan. Featuring hanging bronze gongs, deep resonant drums and interlocking melodies played on smaller gongs and mallet percussion instruments, students will receive hands-on tuition in this unique form of orchestral music. By using the theoretical premise of music as social action, lectures focus on how traditional gamelan thrives in modern-day Indonesia as the music transforms and changes in this rapidly modernizing archipelago.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
- demonstrate through practice and in theoretical language a basic knowledge of the main principles, concepts and performance techniques of Javanese gamelan music, dance and theatre
- demonstrate their ability to work cooperatively as a member of the gamelan
- realise in practice various forms of interdependent musical parts
- perform an excerpt from the repertoire of the Javanese shadow puppet theatre
- demonstrate an understanding of terminology, and the cultural, historical and socio-political contexts of gamelan performing arts
- cultivate aurally-based performance skills on the gamelan through ensemble rehearsal and performance
- develop an understanding of alternate modes of learning and teaching in an oral tradition of music
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
- demonstrate an openness to diverse musical forms and culture connected to musics of the world and specifically Indonesian gamelan
- make informed critical responses to academic discourse on music and modernity and musical continuity and change
- demonstrate skills in cooperation, communication and negotiation that allow for effective working in teams
- communicate their ideas about music in its sociocultural context
Last updated: 9 April 2025