Gamelan

I am a community musician with over 25years experience facilitating both traditional and creative music making workshops on Central Javanese gamelan. In this section you can find out more about the gamelan instruments I work with, my workshops and new developments.

Spirit of Hope

Gamelan is one of the traditional musics of Indonesia and an orchestra of tuned metal instruments including gong, metallo-phones and drums. Glasgow commissioned a set of Central Javanese gamelan in the 1990s as part of its designation as City of Culture, it was made by Pak Suhirjan and was named the Spirit of Hope (SOH).

Whilst I was studying classical flute and community music in Glasgow in the 1990s - I joined a community gamelan group, gamelan naga mas. I immediately fell in love with the instruments and the complex patterns of the traditional music. I loved playing music in a group and learning collaboratively. As time went on I also became interested in improvising and devising music with gamelan instruments, these strands became a core part of my work as a community musician.

Listen to gamelan

Listen to gamelan naga mas

Gamelan Teachers

I am grateful for all the support and learning I have received on gamelan in UK and Indonesia. I’ve had input from so many people in learning traditional Javanese music and there is so much more to learn. Thank you to all my teachers including: Sophie Pragnell, Signy Jacobsdottir, Joko Susilo, John Pawson, Rob Campion, Darsono Hadiraharjo, Pak Prasadiyanto.

Gamelans in Glasgow

· Spirit of Hope

· “gado -gado gahdon” A small collection of “soft” instruments made by Pak Cokrik

Under the linden tree, Maxwell Park, Glasgow

· “Spirit of Shimmering Abundance”made by Pak Tentrem

Set of loud instruments made by Pak Tentrem