Angklung Traditional Musical Instrument
The term "angklung" originates from the Sundanese language "angkleung-angkleung," which describes the player's movements following the rhythm. Meanwhile, the word "klung" represents the distinct pitch sound produced by this musical instrument.
Each note is generated by bamboo tubes of varying sizes. When shaken, these tubes produce a beautiful melody that is pleasant to the ear. Therefore, to create a complete melody, the angklung is played collectively by a group.
Angklung is typically crafted from black bamboo (Awi wulung) or ater bamboo (Awi temen), known for their characteristic yellowish-white hue when dried. The instrument is assembled by gathering two to four bamboo tubes of different sizes and binding them together with rattan.
How to Play the Angklung
Playing the angklung is relatively simple: the musician holds the upper frame and shakes the lower part to produce sound. There are three fundamental techniques for playing the angklung:
1. Kerulung (Vibrato)
This is the most common and basic technique, where both hands hold the base of the bamboo tubes and vibrate them side to side repeatedly while sustaining the note.
2. Centok (Jerk)
In this method, the tube is quickly jerked by the fingers toward the palm, causing the angklung to sound just once, creating a sharp, staccato effect.
3. Tengkep
With this technique, the player vibrates one tube while holding another tube still to prevent it from resonating, resulting in a single, clear note.
Types of Angklung
Throughout the history of the angklung, many regions in Indonesia have developed new varieties. Here are the different types of angklung:
1. Angklung Kanekes
Angklung Kanekes originates from the Baduy community and is performed exclusively during rice planting ceremonies. The creation of this angklung is reserved for the Inner Baduy tribe members.
2. Angklung Reog
This type of angklung is used to accompany the Reog Ponorogo dance in East Java. It features a distinct shape and sound compared to standard angklung, producing a louder tone with only two notes. Angklung Reog is also commonly used as decoration and is known locally as klong kluk.
3. Angklung Dogdog Lojor
Dogdog Lojor is a tradition honoring rice plants. This angklung variety is played only during the ritual procession. The tradition is still practiced by the Kasepuhan Pancer Pangawinan community or the South Banten customary union, who hold the Dogdog Lojor ceremony annually.
In the Dogdog Lojor tradition, there are only six players: two perform on the Dogdog Lojor angklung, while the other four play larger angklung instruments.
4. Angklung Badeng
Hailing from Garut, Angklung Badeng was initially used as musical accompaniment for rice planting rituals. With the spread of Islam in the past, its function shifted, and it became an instrument for supporting religious sermons.
A set of nine angklung is required to accompany the preaching process. These nine instruments include two roel angklung, one kecer angklung, four indung angklung, two anak angklung, two dogdog, and two gembyung.
5. Angklung Padaeng
This angklung type was first introduced by Daeng Soetigna in 1938. Daeng Soetigna modified the tube structure to produce diatonic scales, allowing the angklung to be played alongside popular and modern musical instruments.
Daeng Soetigna's vision was continued by Handiman Diratmasasmita, who aimed to elevate the angklung to international instrument status.
Handiman advanced the production of diatonic angklung with further improvements. Apart from Handiman Diratmasasmita, another key figure who actively promoted the angklung to the public was Udjo Ngalegena.
