Definitions & Keywords

  • Rentak -> Rhythm
  • Kopak -> Interlocking Percussion pattern usually played by 2-3 players on the marwas (Only for Zapin Dance)
  • Rhythmic layer -> Describe drums
  • Hetrophony -> All melody instruments play the same core melody but decorates to its own idiom and technique
  • Syncretic -> Mix of western and eastern
  • Maqam -> Arabic modes

Instruments

Types of instruments:

  • Aerophone
  • Membranophone
  • Idiophone
  • Chordophone

Tested instruments:

  • Rebana -> Percussion ensemble, mostly framedrum, membranophone
    • sheep/goatskin membrane over wooden frame
    • Marwas -> high pitched frame drum
  • Gong -> idiophone
  • Violin -> chordophone
  • Flute/Seruling -> aerophone
  • Accordion -> aerophone
  • Oud/Gambus/mandolin -> Oud/Gambus lower pitch, mandolin high pitch, chordophone
    • Double strung
    • Pluck with plectrum/finger

Malay Dances

Joget

  • Compound Time
  • Lively and very fast
  • In 6/8 time
  • Derived from the Portugese Branyo dance
  • Less formal
  • Usually uses the mandolin over the gambus
  • Usually ends with coda known as a Tandak

Zappin

  • Used in stately situations
  • In 4/4 time
  • Begins with a Taqsim
    • usually played by the gambus
    • Improvisatroy
    • non-metered / free-time
    • uses quarter tones
    • contains embelishments
    • Explores the makam
    • Lower registers -> Higher registers
  • Rhythm layer enters with Rebana after Taqsim
  • Ends with a Wainab or Tahtim coda
    • Ending of zappin performance
  • Has kopak
    • aka interlocking rhythms
    • Played by the marwas
    • Played during climax of piece / end of section