History and Background of Javanese Karawitan

History and Background of Javanese Karawitan - Origins of Karawitan Music - Karawitan is a traditional art of Javanese music with complete equipment that has been developed for generations in accordance with the development of the era and does not leave its authenticity.

So what is the history and background of Javanese Karawitan? Let me share it to you what is this music art. Let's begin. 

The Origin of Javanese Karawitan Musical Art

Karawitan was known since the time of Kalingga, at the time of King Syailendra. Of course the equipment (ricikan) is still very simple. The tone of the tone is still simple too. Since the time of Syailendra that is known traditional musical instruments (gamelan), which until now is known as the Slendro gamelan, in one octave divided by 5 notes, namely: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6.

In the Majapahit era, musical art has developed well, although the equipment is still very simple. Slendro-style gamelan has also been developed with the Pelog barrel gamelan, which in one octave is divided into 7 notes, namely: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

Type of Gamelan Equipment

If viewed from the sound source, in general gamelan equipment (ricikan) consists of various types. In general, gamelan consists of percussion instruments, namely: bonang barung, bonang, successor, slenthem, demung, saron, peking, barung gender, gender, successor, xylophone, kempul / gong, kenong and kendang.

Ethic of Karawitan

Karawitan is an adorable music art. Can be presented in a happy, sad, witty, angry mood, and can even be presented specifically at a sacred event in ritual activities. Therefore the appearance in the presentation of Karawitan needs to be taken into account also the applicable ethics and etiquette.

What Is History and Background of Javanese Karawitan?

In the presentation of music, the drummer is not allowed to beat as he pleases, without the method and the position of the beating that is not the best. In presenting Karawitan, the musicians must be guided by the Karawitan method and how to beat Gamelan in general.

Laras In Gamelan

Adjustable is a set of tone types in Gamelan in this Java Gamelan has 2 (two) different types of adjustments, namely Slendro and Pelog adjustments.

The Slendro barrel each octave is divided into 5 tones, namely 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, while the Pelog barrel is divided into 7 tones, namely 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.

Pathet

Pathet is the chart (top to bottom) of a song in the Art of Dance. In Slendro-based songs, they are generally divided into 3 Pathetes, namely Pathet 6, Pathet 9, Pathet Manyura.

In the Slendro barrel song called Minir, it is usually called the Goods. However for East Java-style dance, sometimes it is Pathet 8, Pathet 10 etc.

Dialectica Karawitan

No different from human language, Karawitan has a dialect in the presentation of his songs. The musical dialect (song presentation style) can be classified as follows:

Surakarta Style Have been originating from the Keraton Surakarta, it developed in the regions of Central Java, East Java, West Java and in various other Indonesian regions.

Yogyakarta (Mataraman) Style Have been Originating from the Yogyakarta Palace, generally developing local areas in Yogyakarta, parts of Central Java, East Java and West Java.

East Java Style have been developed in Surabaya, Mojokerto, Jombang and Malang areas.

There is some of the history and background from Javanese Karawitan that you need to know about. I hope this information is useful for you to know about javanese culture in music art. Thank you for read this article.

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