The traditional music of Bali is the Balinese Gamelan and it is unique to the island, even though you can find Gamelan ensembles elsewhere in Indonesia.
Our guide will introduce you to the classical Gamelan of the island and its emerging modern music scene. You’ll learn where to see performances, what instruments are used here and much more.
Traditional Balinese Gamelan Music
Gamelan is the traditional art form here in Bali and while its popularity has been declining in the modern era, it’s still practised widely across the island.
It is considered to be a UNESCO representative of “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” and there are many different forms of Gamelan across the Indonesian archipelago.
The name “Gamelan” comes from “gamel” which is a Javanese word for gong, one of the key instruments played in the ensembles.
There are records of this style of music being played in the 2nd century AD! Some Balinese ensembles have been playing since the 9th century AD, however, the oldest modern ensemble was formed about 200 years ago.
Musical Instruments In Bali
Each musical instrument in a gamelan orchestra is unique to Bali and you will see the musicians have mastered an interesting range of instruments to create the sound of the gamelan. These instruments include:
Ceng-Ceng
This is very much like a cymbal and it’s made out of metal. The name comes from the noise that it makes when hit with sticks.
Suling (Flute)
Balinese flutes are bamboo tubes that are blown to make the tune come out. There are six holes in a flute and these can be covered by the player to change the tone.
The players here in Bali use an unusual breathing technique with the suling which markedly differs from elsewhere in the archipelago and makes a very different reverberation.
Genggong
This instrument uses a bamboo frame which is then covered with a palm sugar leaf in the shape of a tongue.
The player will suck air through one end and pull a string attached to he leaf to vary the strength of the pitch.
They can use vowel sounds as they blow to change the notes this instrument produces.
Rindik
Rindiks are the Balinese equivalent of xylophones. They are made from 11 different bamboo rods that are placed together over a frame.
Like all xylophones, the rods are then beaten with rubber mallets to produce the tone, the shorter the rod, the higher the tone.
The rindik can be played on its own or as part of a larger gamelan ensemble.
Gong
The gong is, perhaps, the most traditional instrument in Indonesia as a whole and it’s very popular on this island too. You can use a gong not just to create Gamelan but also contemporary tunes and gongs are a major feature of local electronic music.
Children love to learn to play gongs and the instrument is also used in Buddhist temples to help notify the priests and the nearby village of when it’s time to pray, eat, etc.
Kendang
The kendang is a form of drum and there are no sticks used, it’s beaten with your hand and it’s something of a high art to use this instrument correctly.
Interestingly, there are seven different kendang instruments used in a Gamelan and they are all of different sizes, to create different tones.
Mandolin
This instrument is not so traditional, it’s a stringed percussion instrument that was introduced to the Gamelan orchestra by the Japanese when they invaded the island during World War 2.
Interestingly, it became a popular part of the local ensemble and now you can find it played at a wide range of Balinese occasions alongside the gongs, drums, etc.
Where To See A Balinese Gamelan Orchestra Play
There are some great Balinese gamelan ensembles that play gamelan music every single night (except, of course, for Nyepi) and some of the most popular include:
Ubud Water Palace, Cenik Wayah Children’s Gamelan & Dance Group
What could be nicer than watching a Balinese gamelan orchestra in front of the beautiful Saraswati water palace?
This Balinese gamelan ensembles unique selling point is that it is made up of the most talented children of the next generation as well as local adults.
Where Is It? Jl. Suweta No.6, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Online: Ubud Water Palace
Ubud Palace
The art of Balinese gamelan is perfectly captured with nightly shows at the Ubud Palace.
You have to book a seat in a local cafe for this and you’re expected to buy drinks but you will be provided with a booklet that explains the performance of the musicians in English.
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Ubud No.8, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Online: N/A
If you want a more hands-on experience this interesting workshop allows you to try out each musical instrument and talk to some of the musicians about their art.
You will then be invited to enjoy a live show before being offered the opportunity to purchase some of the instruments (there is no obligation to buy anything).
Where Is It? Jl. Gandapura III, no. 501X, Kesiman Kertalangu, Denpasa
Online: Bali Music and Dance
Bale Banjar Kelod
This is a unique performance in that it’s an all-female orchestra. They have plenty of dance performances to accompany the sound and you will even see a “seated dance.
Where Is It? Jl. Monkey Forest No.15, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Online: N/A
Tanah Lot
This popular temple is also home to an ensemble and they perform at the pavilion on the grounds.
Where Is It? Beraban, Kediri, Tabanan Regency, Bali 82121, Indonesia
Online: N/A
It’s worth noting that as Ubud is the core of the gamelan scene on the island that you can often find Balinese groups practising and rehearsing in town and they will often allow visitors to come in and listen to the practice sessions.
Modern Music In Bali – Hardcore And Punk Scene
Indonesia has a huge and vibrant music scene and most of the archipelago is all about heavy metal, particularly death metal and Indonesia has the most death metal bands of any nation on Earth except for the USA!
Former President, Joko Widodo, was a huge fan of heavy metal, so much so that the President of Denmark gave him a Metallica boxset!
However, they like to do things a bit differently from the rest of the country here in Bali and the big scene here is hardcore and punk.
You can find various venues hosting punk gigs here but Gimme Shelter tends to be the place where they happen most regularly.
Of course, there’s also a modern pop scene and this has some very classical Gamelan influences such as in this piece by local star Gus Teja.
Many younger Balinese prefer electronic music and you can find local DJs playing in clubs all over the island including at FINNS, the best beach club in the world, every single night of the year except for Nyepi (which is the Hindu day of silence).
FAQs
What Is Traditional Balinese Music Called?
Gamelan. There are other styles of Gamelan in Indonesia such as Javanese and Sundanese but they don’t sound the same as Balinese.
What Music Do They Play In Bali?
The traditional music is Gamelan. But modern Bali caters for nearly every taste in music and you can easily find something that you will enjoy in the pubs, clubs and other venues here.
What Is Balinese Gamelan?
This is the traditional orchestral music of the island. It’s a dynamic and exciting art form.
Is Balinese Gamelan Fast?
Yes, in fact, Balinese gamelan is known for its fast, exciting, high-speed sounds which reach a crescendo that delights and energizes the audience.
What Are The Three Main Indonesian Gamelan Styles?
The three styles are Balinese, Javanese and Sundanese gamelan. Each village in Java and Bali will have its own orchestra but their sounds and style of playing will vary and there are some minor variations in instrumentation too.
What Is The Difference Between Balinese And Javanese Gamelan?
Javanese is soft, slow and relaxed. Balinese, on the other hand, gamelan is fast-paced and very vibrant.
What Is The Structure Of Bali Music?
The music of Bali uses a colotomic structure. This is a cyclical structure that sees the rhythm repeated over and over as a signature throughout each piece. It is recorded using cipher notation.
What Is The Oldest Form of Bali Music?
The gamelan angklung of Sidan in Gianyar is believed to be the longest-established gamelan ensemble in existence.
What Is The Main Type Of Music In Bali? What Is The Music Of The Bali Ensemble?
Gamelan is the local traditional music, however, it’s fair to say that in modern Bali, you will normally find this being played in villages and tourist performances rather than all over the island.
Which Instrument Is Important To The Music Of Bali?
Gongs are probably the most important instruments used here as they are in nearly every ensemble and are often incorporated into modern music.
Final Thoughts On Music In Bali
Not everyone wants to listen to Gamelan though it’s worth noting that it’s always interesting to hear these instruments played for the first time.
However, if a Gamelan ensemble and its gongs and rindiks aren’t your thing, you can always find an exciting modern performance of some of the best hardcore and punk in the world on the island.
Alternatively, if you like your music a little more electronic, why not come and listen to the local DJs playing at FINNS, the best beach club in the world, in Canggu?
