GAMELAN Composer of the Half-Term Summer 2

Composer-of-the-Half Term Summer 2 : GAMELAN MUSIC

We hope you enjoyed the marvellous accapella song from Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Our children enjoyed the amazing harmonies and were very interested in the story behind the choir's name.

This half-term, we are taking you into South East Asia, to the country of Indonesia where, for almost 2000 years, Gamelan music has echoed around the islands of Bali and Java. Gamelan means "playing percussion instruments."

Children as young as 3 years of age, are taught how to play these amazingly beautiful instruments.

Gamelan orchestra are known world-wide and often accompany dances and shadow puppet theatre. 

 Here is a wonderful video of a children's Gamelan orchestra from Bali. We are sure you'll love the music and want to listen to it over and over again.

Listen for the strong pulse (the beat). Look at how the different instruments are being played.