Around 1.5 year ago I was feeling like I need to create new patterns in my life, and that's when I ended up doing something that I would never expect before - I joined the gamelan band!;) I started breaking my routine of being a night owl, and once a week I would get up unusually early for our weekly practice, learning traditional music from Bali. At first, it was so difficult to get used to playing it, but with time I was getting more and more hooked and inspired by it. I loved the way I felt each time after 2 hours of rehearsing, becoming more harmonized being. This is the exact medicine that I needed in my life at this time! It became a great tool to focus my mind, and for creating new pathways in my brain. It is challenging me in very good ways. Here you have no choice but practicing being present, and deeply listening. The goal is to move beyond your thinking, into the states of trance, so the music is playing you. It is a great meditation practice and we are blessed with a great teacher.
This is a photo from our very recent performance at the Galactic Center venue:
Here is a little taste of how we sound like: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq39_FrDaJ7/
Athough it's one of the slower tracks! It get's way faster!
We are all playing different instruments and different interlocking parts coming into one, and I am playing pemade. It is all about overtone music, the music that is not being played.
The name of our group is Gamelan Dewi Malam, what translates into: Gamelan of the Queen of the Night. The group plays the traditional bronze 4-tone angklung orchestra often used in Balinese temple music and for important life ceremonies, as well as the processional beleganjur instruments used for ceremonial processions.
Coming from the traditions of the island of Bali, Balinese gamelan is steeped in ritual and symbolism, from the offerings of holy water and incense at every performance to the duality of interlocking parts that characterize gamelan music, and the gongs that symbolize death and rebirth. The Balinese consider the instruments sacred and feel that they exude a power of their own even resting on stage before a performance. Balinese gamelan has a huge range of styles, from complex and delicate "sitting pieces" to loud, fiery dance accompaniment.
The land of Bali is calling my heart, it feels like for many years. Looking forward to going there someday!
