Kendang

Kendang or Gendang (, , Bugis: Gendrang and Makassar: Gandrang or Ganrang ) is a two-headed drum. It is used by people from the Indonesian Archipelago.
Kendang is one of the first instruments used in the Gamelan ensembles of Javanese, Sundanese, and Balinese, the Kendang ensemble as well as various Kulintang ensembles in Indonesia. It is made in many ways by different ethnic groups.
Accompaniments
Sundanese
In Sundanese Gamelan, a minimum set consists of three drums.
(large drum)
, two (small drum). Kendang Kulanter is divided into two, namely the Katipung and the Kutiplak.
Many types of Sundanese Kendang are distinguished according to their function in accompaniment :
Kendang Kiliningan
Kendang Jaipongan
Kendang Ketuk Tilu
Kendang Keurseus
Kendang Penca
Kendang Bajidor
Kendang Sisingaan and others.
Each type of drums in Sundanese music has a difference in size, pattern, variety, and motif.
Javanese
In Gamelan Surakarta, four sizes of kendhang are used:
, (krama/ngoko, similar to in usage), or is the largest , which usually has the deepest tone. It is played by itself in the (lit. "single drum") style, which is used for the most solemn or majestic pieces or parts of pieces. It is played with the kendhang ketipung for (lit. "double drum") style, which is used in faster tempos and less solemn pieces.
is also medium-sized, and was traditionally used to accompany performances, although now other drums can be used as well.
or is a medium-sized drum, used for the most complex or lively rhythms. It is typically used for livelier sections within a piece. The word ciblon derives from a Javanese type of water-play, where people smack the water with different hand shapes to give different sounds and complex rhythms. The technique of this , which is said to imitate the water-play, is more difficult to learn than the other kendang styles.
is the smallest , used with the in (double drum) style.
Balinese
In , there are two :
, the "female" and lowest pitched.
, the "male" and highest pitched.
Makassarese
(Makassarese s) can be divided to three types:
is the largest drums as a result it is also called (largest drum in Makassarese language).These drums are usually used in important sacred ceremonies such as blessing for sultanate's heirlooms.
are usually smaller with diameters measuring in 30-40 cm, which are usually used for dance, which used 2-4 drums with differing beats and symbolizes the men's strength and vitality.
are usually the smallest with diameters measuring in 20-25 cm, and used as martial arts accompaniments.
Buginese
Among the Bugis there are two types of playing techniques based on the position of the . if the is placed on the player's lap it is called . If the players are standing with the s tied with a shoulder strap it is called , this position are usually used for sacred ceremony, or for entertainment like beating of rice mortars or .
There are generally three types of beats pattern in playing:
patterns are usually the beginning as intro
are played afterwards which are usually more energetic
patterns are used afterward, as finale.
Gallery
Related pages
Dabakan
Gendang beleq
Rampak Kendang
Sources
Further reading
Sumarsam. Javanese Gamelan Instruments and Vocalists. 1978-1979.
Other websites
Kendang information, with audio
Rampak Kendang in Google.
Drums
Indonesian culture