Kinds of Gamelan

Obviously, Gamelan is divided into many kind because of the difference of characteristic and region. Like Javanese gamelan, Balinese gamelan, and Sundanese gamelan. In this web, Javanese gamelan will be explained more specifically.The Javanese has the soft tone and slow, Balinese is more energitic, and Sundanese that dominated by suling. Javanese gamelan still has many sorts too. They are : Kodokngorek, Munggang, Gamelan sekaten, Gamelan klasik, Gamelan gadhon, Gamelan siteran, Gamelan Mangkunegaran, Gamelan Pakualaman, Gamelan Surakarta, Gamelan Yogyakarta, and Gamelan Banyumasan.

Javanese gamelan is classified by the place where it has been played in Java. Karaton and Pura (read:puro) are some of the famous places. Karaton is a Javanese palace where the king lives. It exist in Yogyakarta and Central Java. The king is called ‘Sultan'.And pura nearly have the same meaning with Karaton. In Indonesian language, Pura is the place for a worship of Hindus. If we look at the history, the Mataram Kingdom that located in the south of Java, include Yogyakarta had the hindu characteristic. So, Karatons and Pura are considered as a heritage.

These are the classification:

• Karaton Yogyakarta: Gamelan Sekar Nagawilaga, Gunturmadu, Harjanagara, Harjamulya, Madukentir, Siratmadu, Medharsih Mikatsih, Guntur Laut.
  
• Puro Pakualaman: Gamelan Kanjutmesem, Udanasih, Undanarum, Lipur-Tamba-Neng.
  
• Karaton Solo(Surakarta): Gamelan Sekaten Nalajenggot, Kyai Jimat, Larasati, Pengasih, Guntur Madu, Kancil Belik, Kaduk Manis, Manis Renggo.
  
• Puro Mangkunegaran: Gamelan Pangawesari and Tlagamuncar.