Gamelan

Gamelan is the traditional orchestra of Indonesia, and in Bali it is heard everywhere, from temple ceremonies and dance performances to village rehearsals. Ensembles are built around bronze metallophones, gongs, drums and cymbals, often joined by bamboo flutes. Balinese gamelan is known for its fast, dynamic and shimmering sound. In 2021, UNESCO inscribed gamelan on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

There are many types of gamelan in Bali, each with its own instruments and purpose. Gong kebyar, the most widely heard style today, emerged in North Bali in the early twentieth century and is known for its sudden bursts and changes of tempo. Balinese instruments are often played in pairs tuned slightly apart, creating a pulsing, shimmering effect, and many parts interlock so that two players together create a single melody.

Gamelan is a communal art, and most villages have their own ensembles, often run by the banjar. In the evenings, visitors can hear rehearsals drifting from village halls. Performances in Ubud combine gamelan with dance, and some music schools offer lessons for beginners. Hearing a full gamelan in a temple courtyard during a ceremony is an unforgettable experience.