Sekaran
Encyclopedia
Sekaran is a type of elaboration used in the Javanese gamelan
, especially on the bonang barung.
It is similar to the cengkok
of other elaborating instruments in its floridity and openness to improvisation, but a sekaran generally happens only at the end of a nongan or other colotomic division. It is usually preceded by imbal
, an interlocking pattern between the bonang barung and the bonang panerus.
Different sekaran are used in different pathet
, but there are always a variety available. A good bonang player will choose a sekaran based on how the other instruments and the sindhen
are improvising.
Traditionally the bonang panerus did not play sekaran, and simply continued in the imbal pattern, but now some players use sekaran, as long as they maintain the fast character of typical bonang panerus parts.
Gamelan
A gamelan is a musical ensemble from Indonesia, typically from the islands of Bali or Java, featuring a variety of instruments such as metallophones, xylophones, drums and gongs; bamboo flutes, bowed and plucked strings. Vocalists may also be included....
, especially on the bonang barung.
It is similar to the cengkok
Cengkok
Cengkok are patterns played by the elaborating instruments in the Javanese gamelan. Typically they are melodic patterns that lead to the seleh, following the rules of the pathet of the piece....
of other elaborating instruments in its floridity and openness to improvisation, but a sekaran generally happens only at the end of a nongan or other colotomic division. It is usually preceded by imbal
Imbal
Imbal or imbalan is a technique used in Javanese gamelan. It refers to a rapid alternation of a melodic line between instruments, in a way similar to hocket in medieval music or kotekan in Balinese gamelan....
, an interlocking pattern between the bonang barung and the bonang panerus.
Different sekaran are used in different pathet
Pathet
The pathet is an organizing concept in gamelan music. It is difficult to explain, but is similar to the melody types, that is, for example, modes, ragas, or maqamat, of other musics....
, but there are always a variety available. A good bonang player will choose a sekaran based on how the other instruments and the sindhen
Sindhen
A pesindhèn is a female solo singer who sings with a gamelan. They may perform in unaccompanied music, dance, or wayang performances....
are improvising.
Traditionally the bonang panerus did not play sekaran, and simply continued in the imbal pattern, but now some players use sekaran, as long as they maintain the fast character of typical bonang panerus parts.