Interlocking

Interlocking

Balinese music emphasis on interlocking. Usually, different groups of player play different short melody/rhythm pattern simultaneously to create a complete musical phrase. The following example is an excerpt from a Balinese Gamelan music entitled Bebranangan.

In Bebranangan, the main melody phrase is divided into three sections. Each section has only two notes. These two notes are played repeatedly with a specific pattern in cycle. Each section has a different rhythmic pattern. Three different groups of player are assigned to play these three sections, in which each group plays a different section. If these sections are played individually, they sound simply like a rapid rhythmic pattern. However, when these three sections are played together, they form a complete melody phrase.

Bebranangan
Click to listen to these different sections. You need RealPlayer Audio System to play all music clips in this web page. Download free RealPlayer form RealNetworks.

Section 1: A two-notes rhythm pattern, with gongs and drums.

Section 2: Another two-notes rhythm pattern in different pitches, with gongs and drums.

Section 3: The third pair of two-notes rhythm pattern in different pitches, with gongs and drums.

All Three Section Together: Section 1, 2, and 3 are played together, with gongs and drums, to form a complete melody phrase. Listen carefully, you can distinguish three different sections.

Listen to the complete Bebranangan

Balinese Gamelan page