Music of Bali

Balinese Culture Strong Hindu influence (was refuge for Hindu nobility in 16 th cent fleeing Islam in Java) Religious beliefs are blend of Hinduism, Buddhism, ancestor and spirit cults and animism. Gamelans consist of percussion, flute, and 2-string violin; each village has gamelan

Balinese Gamelan Music Variety of ensembles for different occasions Strictly instrumental Often include abrupt tempo and dynamic changes Unique timbre because Balinese instruments tuned in pairs with one pitched slightly higher.

Gamelan Gong Kebyar Balinese ensemble, developed in 20 th cent. Accompanies flashy dance (kebyar)

Indonesian Popular Music Dangdut Rhoma Irama: blend of “modern” (ie Western harmonies, instruments) with “Indonesian” (language, lyrics - Influenced by Sumatran and Indian film music - Many of his songs promote Islamic values or to make critical commentary

“Begadang II” (“Staying Up All Night”) (1978) What good is Saturday night / For those who are not well-to-do? /Want to go to a party, but have no money; / Wind up squatting by the side of the road. Stay up, let’s stay up / Stay up and sing; / Even though we don’t have money / We can still have fun. Those who have money / Always eat in nice restaurants; / Those of us who have no money / just eat at makeshift roadside stalls.

Sundanese Gamelan and Fusion Jazz “Krakatau” (1980s) Members originally influenced by Western jazz Later wanted to create West Java/Sundanese sound “Shufflendang- Shufflending” (2000)

Indonesian Rock: Ahmad Band “Distorsi”(1998)

“Distorsi” They always want to combat poverty; but there’s always someone who siphons the people’s money / There are show-offs who open their mouths in protest, but it’s a shame their mouths always smell of alcohol. / The youth are drunk, the elders are corrupt, continually drunk, continually corrupt.