About Indonesian Gamelan

Bush beats Gamelan (you can too!)

A gamelan is an Indonesian ensemble usually composed mainly of
percussion. These orchestras usually include tuned gongs, brass
kettles, brass metallophones, bamboo xylophones, drums, cymbals,
flutes and bowed string instruments.

Although the music itself is
complex, some of the instruments do not require a large amount of
playing technique, as President Bush discovered in his November 16 speech
visit to Singapore, where he was treated to a performance by Asian
fusion (“coincidentally” the name of Ancient Future’s sixth CD, Asian
Fusion) music by a group called “Gamelan Asmaradana”. The musicians
played a Javanese classical piece and a Singaporean folk song. Guest
to play himself, Bush knelt on the rug, hit the saron (a
metallophone) with a rubber mallet for a while, and then said, “I’m
I’m going to quit while I’m ahead.”

However, this is an area you should be encouraged to stay in.
run instead of cut and run. After all, his first performance
he was greeted with applause by the members of the gamelan orchestra. It’s
it is as if all the success predicted for its invasion of Iraq were
now coming true for him in the wonderful world of the gamelan.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/061116/481/sgpd11311160550 (See President Bush Play)

balinese gamelan

These exercises are examples of Balinese gamelan music. in bali,
orchestras of tuned gongs, brass pots, brass metallophones,
bamboo xylophones, drums, cymbals and flutes fill the night air with
lively music. The melodic parts are intertwined, divided in such a way that
the musicians play alternate notes to form the melody line. Thesis
interlocking parts, known as kotèkan, require cooperation and great
sense of rhythm to perform.

Kotekan knowledge can be extremely valuable. these intertwined
rhythms have a unique way of bringing people together in cooperation
towards a common goal, from which President Bush could certainly benefit
of. Some critics of his policies have said they would like to send
him to Mars, and indeed has set out to go there. But this looks like a
drastic and expensive solution, particularly considering that a music
gap year to Bali for the purpose of studying these wonderful
interlocking parts could have a profound effect on your international
diplomatic skills. He has already shown some interest. This could be a
true hidden talent waiting to come to light.

The two parts of a kotèkan, which are considered male and female,
they are known as nyangsih and poles. The main accents of male nyangsih.
part are usually unconventional, while the main accents of the woman
polo shirts are usually on the beat. The male instruments are slightly
a higher pitch to produce a chorus effect. There is not
intertwining between male instruments or female instruments,
only between male and female instruments. this should fit fine
with Bush’s philosophy of the sanctity of heterosexual marriage. In
all examples of standard western music notation below, the poles
(feminine) is on the bottom staff while the nyangsih (masculine) part is on
the top.

Types of Kotekan

These examples are from Ancient Traditions — Future Possibilities:,
Chapter 2, Exercise II, page 49. There are four types of melodies
Kotèkans recognized in North Bali: Chandetan, Tutugan, Ochètan and
semiochetane.

Chandetan http://www.ancient-future.com/images/chandetan.gif (See sheet music)

Chandetán is an alternate rhythm in which the nyangsih melody
differs from the poles. This could be considered the musical
equivalent to a partisan showcase, but where the result still works for
the benefit of all.

http://www.jukeboxalive.com/audio_play_offsite.php?mid=580230&skin=329644 (Play Chandetan)

Tutugan http://www.ancient-future.com/images/tutugan.gif (See sheet music)

The tutugan is an alternate rhythm in which the nyangsih melody
follow the poles. This could be the musical equivalent of what Bush
looks to bipartisan cooperation.

http://www.jukeboxalive.com/audio_play_offsite.php?mid=580232&skin=329644 (Play Tutugan)

Ochètan http://www.ancient-future.com/images/ochetan.gif (See score)

The ochetan is an interlocking rhythm in which two separate voices
created where the parts meet. This is probably the musical equivalent of
what Democrats expect from bipartisan cooperation:

http://www.jukeboxalive.com/audio_play_offsite.php?mid=580236&skin=329644 (Play Eighteen)

Semi-Ochetano http://www.ancient-future.com/images/semiochetan.gif (See sheet music)

The semiochetane is an interlocking rhythm in which the parts meet in
unison, which is probably the musical equivalent of what voters expect
for bipartisan cooperation:

http://www.jukeboxalive.com/audio_play_offsite.php?mid=580237&skin=329644 (Play Semi-Ochetano)

Gamelan Anklung http://www.ancient-future.com/images/anklung.gif (See sheet music)

The gamelan anchor is a set of four tones that commonly accompanies
temple ceremonies. This is an intermediate level kotèkan from Ancient Traditions — Future Possibilities:, Chapter 2, Exercise III D, page 51:

http://www.jukeboxalive.com/audio_play_offsite.php?mid=580241&skin=329644 (Play Anklung)

This kotèkan was used as the basis for the Gamarock composition of
The Ancient Future launches Dreamchaser.

http://www.jukeboxalive.com/player/cal_customaudio.php?sid=247536_1&user=ancientfuture_members (Play Gamarock)