Traditionally
Muzik Silat was played to
highlight or inspire the performing of the pencak silat, a Malay form of
self-defence. The finery of this music is now commonly heard at
wedding-ceremonies, events graced by important dignataries and at fairs
and other celebrations. As a group, Music Silat comprise of four
musicians and two martial arts performer.
The musical ensembles of Muzik Silat is percussion dominated. The
leading instrument is the Serunai, a conical aerophone with seven holes on
top and one at the bottom. The player completely mouth the reed with
his lips against circular disc, and blow continuously without pausing for
respiration. The oboe-like instrument is ubiquitours in Asia.
It would seem to have originated from the Middle East (Jewish Palestine)
in the Second Century A.D. and from there it spread to the East.
The Serunai Varies in length from 12 to 18 inches and is made from a
variety of wood such as batang lada (pepper stem) and nangka (jackfruit)
tree. However, most serunais are made of wood from the 'nangka'
tree. It is divided into three part, kepala (head), batang (stem)
and pipit (mouth piece), Daun lunta, as special type of leaf is used for
the reed. It is adorneed with intricate carvings and painted in red,
green, gold and black or cilours to the taste of the individual musician.
Under the membranophone category is a pair of mother and son Barrelshaped
gendangs, of which the mother being the larger of the two. The
mother drum measures from 20 to 22 inches in lenght, and has a front
circumference of between 24 to 29 inches. The length of gendang anak
(son drum) varies from 19 to 22 inches with a circumference of between 19
to 22 inches.
The body of the gendang is more oftenmade from kayu nangka. Both the
front and back sides are covered with animal skin. Usually cow hide
is used for the mother drum and goatskin for the son. Pieces of
rattan used to stretch the skin and vary the tensions. The drums are
played with both hand, one striking each face.
The last item in the musical enssemble is the gong. Resembling large
cymbals but with a more pronouced curvature, the gong is either made of
brass or other copper alloy. Hang vertically amid a mini-gool mouth
wood structed, the gong is sounded with padded sticks. From this
idiophonic group, the gong serves a very important structural function,
that is, it divides the musical pieces into temperal sections. The
gong rhythm marks an end of every measure and this could be in a series of
four, eight, or sixteen measure depending on the nature of the musical
piece.
|
|
|
Home
