ISI Surakarta Launches Study of Gamelan Development Methods

Iwan Darmawan (surfaced) shook hands with the examiners on the open exam of doctoral promotion at ISI Surakarta (photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Arts Institute (ISI) Surakarta, through its postgraduate doctoral program, has produced studies on gamelan development methods and the application of gamelan sound to film media.

Iwan Darmawan, who carried out the study during an open doctoral promotion exam at ISI Surakarta, Central Java, said Tuesday that the study was raised because currently the application of gamelan sounds in film media has become a phenomenon.

"So as long as gamelan music is used for films, it will definitely win at festivals abroad," he said, quoted by Antara, Wednesday.

He said this cannot be separated from the fact that the concept of gamelan music is different from the concept of an orchestra.

In this study, the results of measuring the dynamic frequency range of gamelan instruments, both pelog and slendro, are an effort to understand the sound of gamelan instruments. He said this is a common frequency used in the world of sound systems, including sound systems in film media.

"By understanding the characteristics of gamelan sound through frequency, it will be possible to develop music technology," he said.

One possible development is a special microphone for gamelan music.

"We have microphones for western music. To make a microphone you have to know the characteristics first, measure it first, so that this size can be used for presenters," he said.

Meanwhile, in the future, the founder of the Lintas Cakrawala Foundation will continue to develop this study by targeting various types of gamelan in Indonesia.

"Gamelan is not only Javanese, there is Balinese gamelan, not to mention Sundanese gamelan, apparently Ambon also has it, Kalimantan has it," he said.