Slenthem
Encyclopedia
The slenthem is a Java
nese metallophone
which makes up part of a gamelan
orchestra.
The slenthem is part of the gendér
family. It consists of a set of bronze keys comprising a single octave: there are six keys when playing the slendro
scale and seven when playing the pelog
. These keys are suspended by leather cords over individual bamboo tube resonators in a wooden frame, which are cut so that the placement of the bamboo's node causes the functional length of the resonator to be shorter for higher notes. The instrument is played by striking the keys with a mallet, called a tabuh, which has a short handle and a thin wooden disk edged in cloth or rubber. One hand is left free to dampen notes. It is a low-pitched instrument with a softer sound than the saron demung.
Like the saron barung and demung, it generally plays the most basic form of the melody (balungan
) in a composition. However it also sometimes uses techniques similar to the saron
to elaborate. It is especially favored in quieter gamelan ensembles (such as Gamelan Gadhon
); but it is a part of standard Gamelan Gedhé as the only soft-style instrument also played in loud-style pieces.
It is typically placed among the instruments at the front of the performing area.
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
nese metallophone
Metallophone
A metallophone is any musical instrument consisting of tuned metal bars which are struck to make sound, usually with a mallet.Metallophones have been used in music for hundreds of years. There are several different types used in Balinese and Javanese gamelan ensembles, including the gendér, gangsa...
which makes up part of a gamelan
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....
orchestra.
The slenthem is part of the gendér
Gendér
A gendér is a type of metallophone used in Balinese and Javanese gamelan music. It consists of 10 to 14 tuned metal bars suspended over a tuned resonator of bamboo or metal, which are tapped with a mallet made of wooden disks or a padded wooden disk . Each key is a note of a different pitch, often...
family. It consists of a set of bronze keys comprising a single octave: there are six keys when playing the slendro
Slendro
Slendro is a pentatonic scale, one of the two most common scales used in Indonesian gamelan music, the other being pélog.-Tuning:...
scale and seven when playing the pelog
Pelog
Pelog is one of the two essential scales of gamelan music native to Bali and Java, in Indonesia. The other scale commonly used is called slendro. Pelog has seven notes, but many gamelan ensembles only have keys for five of the pitches...
. These keys are suspended by leather cords over individual bamboo tube resonators in a wooden frame, which are cut so that the placement of the bamboo's node causes the functional length of the resonator to be shorter for higher notes. The instrument is played by striking the keys with a mallet, called a tabuh, which has a short handle and a thin wooden disk edged in cloth or rubber. One hand is left free to dampen notes. It is a low-pitched instrument with a softer sound than the saron demung.
Like the saron barung and demung, it generally plays the most basic form of the melody (balungan
Balungan
The balungan is sometimes called the "core melody" of a Javanese gamelan composition. This corresponds to the view that gamelan music is heterophonic: the balungan is then the melody which is being elaborated....
) in a composition. However it also sometimes uses techniques similar to the saron
Saron (instrument)
The saron is a musical instrument of Indonesia, which is used in the gamelan. It typically consists of seven bronze bars placed on top of a resonating frame . It is usually about 20 cm high, and is played on the floor by a seated performer...
to elaborate. It is especially favored in quieter gamelan ensembles (such as Gamelan Gadhon
Gamelan Gadhon
A Gamelan Gadhon is an ensemble consisting of the "soft" instruments of the Javanese gamelan. This can include rebab, gendér, gendér panerus, voice, slenthem, suling, siter, gong, kempul, kenong and kendhang.-The instruments and their functions:...
); but it is a part of standard Gamelan Gedhé as the only soft-style instrument also played in loud-style pieces.
It is typically placed among the instruments at the front of the performing area.