gamelan: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Academic, Cultural, Musical
Quick answer
What does “gamelan” mean?
A traditional musical ensemble from Indonesia, particularly Java and Bali, primarily composed of metallophones, gongs, drums, and sometimes flutes and string instruments.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A traditional musical ensemble from Indonesia, particularly Java and Bali, primarily composed of metallophones, gongs, drums, and sometimes flutes and string instruments.
Refers to the genre of music played by such an ensemble or to the set of instruments collectively.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties treat it as a loanword.
Connotations
Evokes Southeast Asian culture, ethnomusicology, and traditional arts.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, primarily encountered in contexts of world music, anthropology, or travel.
Grammar
How to Use “gamelan” in a Sentence
listen to + gamelanplay + gamelanstudy + gamelanhear + gamelana performance by + a/the gamelanVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gamelan” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The gamelan tradition is well preserved.
- She has a deep knowledge of gamelan music.
American English
- He is a gamelan musician.
- The festival featured gamelan styles from Central Java.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Common in ethnomusicology, anthropology, and Southeast Asian studies departments.
Everyday
Rare, might be used when discussing travel to Indonesia or world music events.
Technical
Specific in musicology to describe instrumentation, tuning systems (e.g., slendro, pelog), and performance practice.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gamelan”
- Using it as a countable noun for a single instrument (e.g., 'He played a gamelan' - incorrect). It refers to the entire set.
- Pronouncing it with a hard 'g' as in 'game' rather than the standard softer variant.
- Confusing it with other Asian percussion ensembles like 'gagaku' (Japanese).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the standard pronunciation in both British and American English starts with a hard 'g' sound, /ɡ/.
No, it is a collective noun. It refers to the entire set of instruments. A single instrument would be a 'gamelan gong' or 'gamelan metallophone'.
No, while Bali is famous for its dynamic and fast-paced gamelan, the tradition is also deeply rooted in Java, with distinct styles, and exists in other Indonesian regions like Sunda.
No, it is a low-frequency, specialist term. You will encounter it mainly in discussions about world music, ethnomusicology, or Indonesian culture.
A traditional musical ensemble from Indonesia, particularly Java and Bali, primarily composed of metallophones, gongs, drums, and sometimes flutes and string instruments.
Gamelan is usually academic, cultural, musical in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'game' being played with 'lan'(terns) made of metal that you strike - a GAMELAN.
Conceptual Metaphor
CULTURAL ARTIFACT IS A LIVING TRADITION (e.g., 'The gamelan has evolved over centuries').
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'gamelan' primarily associated with?