Music of Southeast Asia

• What are the main influences on the music of Southeast Asia?

  Indian, Chinese, Muslim, and Indigenous influences
• How is the music of Indonesia often related to cultural events?

  It is frequently related to ceremonies connected with religion, the state, community festivals, and family affairs.
• What is a Gamelan ensemble?

  An ensemble where different instruments are played together.
• What are the musical elements in Indonesian music?

  • Rhythm
  • Melody
  • Form
  • Timbre
  • Harmony and Texture
  • Vocal
• What is a characteristic of Indonesian music's structure?

  It has an off-hested Hime structure for 16.
• What scales are used in Indonesian music?

  Pelog and Slendro scales
• What is the vocal style in Indonesian music?

  It includes nasal, polyphonic, and ornamentation purposes.
• Who are the different types of vocalists in Indonesian music?

  • Pesindhen: female singer (only one)
  • Gerong: male chorus (choir)
  • Berong Becayan: mixed chorus (female and male)
• What is the Slendro scale?

  A pentatonic scale consisting of five notes.
• What is the Pelog scale?

  A heptatonic scale consisting of seven notes.
• What role does music play in Indonesian culture?


  It plays an important role in Indonesian culture.
• What is the most important kind of music in Indonesia?

  Gamelan
• What characterizes Javanese Gamelan music?

  It is used for court music and is percussion dominated.
• What is the style of playing in Javanese Gamelan music?

  It gives a solemn character.
• What is Balinese Gamelan used for?

  It is used for sacred music.
• What instruments primarily make up Balinese Gamelan?

  It consists mostly of metallophones and gongs.
• How does Balinese Gamelan differ in sound compared to Javanese Gamelan?

  It has bright and brilliant sounds with fast and rattling sounds of cymbals.
• What are the different vocal structures in music?

  • Strophic: same tune
  • Homo: two voices blended together
  • Mono: single voice/sound
  • Hetero: two voices but individual
• What are some instruments used in Javanese Gamelan?

  Bonang, Saron, Gender, Gong Agong, Kenong, Kempul, Kendang
• What is a belief associated with Gamelan music in Indonesia?

  It is believed to be guided by spirits.
• What is a cultural practice regarding the Gamelan orchestra in Indonesia?

  Shoes must be removed before entering the area of the orchestra.
• What is forbidden in the Gamelan orchestra area?


  Stepping over the instruments is forbidden.
• Who is allowed to play the gong ageng in Gamelan music?

  Only the best player is allowed to play the gong ageng.
• What are the functions of Gamelan music?

  • Accompanies religious ceremonies and important events
  • Used as part of entertainment like the puppet show, Wayang kulit
  • Provides a means of livelihood to the Indonesians
• What is the old name of Thailand?

  Siam
• What influences the music of Thailand?

  It is influenced by Southeast Asian countries like China, Burma, Cambodia, Java, and India.
• What is the tonal system used in Thai music?

  A tonal system with seven pitches.
• What is unique about Thailand's colonial history?

  It is the only country in Southeast Asia that was never colonized by a European power.
• How is Thai music primarily transmitted?

  It is purely oral in culture with no written notational styles.
• What effect does Thai music have on listeners?

  It calms the mind and satiates the soul.
• What rhythmic structure is commonly used in Thai music?

  Duple meter with syncopation.
• What scales are used in Thai music?

  Pentatonic scale and seven-tone scale.
• What are the different styles of Thai music?

  • Plengluk shung: reflects daily traits and traditions
  • Morlam: more into folk music with percussion
  • Kantrum: traditional music
• What are some modern influences on Thai music?

  Pop and Rock music.
• What is Wong Shado in Thai music?

  A western rock patterned after Cliff Richard and the Shadows.
• What is Plang Phua Cheewit in Thai music?

  A nationalistic song of the Thais.
• What are the types of Thai musical instruments?

  • Idiophones: Ranat Thum
  • Membranophones: Ramana, Taphon
  • Aerophones: Khem Khaen
  • Chordophones: Jakhe, Saw Sam Gal
• What is the Yi Phat ensemble in Thai music?

  • Most common and iconic music ensemble
  • Symbolizes the coming of the Thai's legendary dragon
  • Played indoors and outdoors
• What is the Mahori ensemble in Thai music?

  An ensemble that includes flute and strings, usually played by women.
• What are the influences on the music of Singapore?

  Chinese, Indian, Malays, and other minority Asian ethnic groups.