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Indonesian Gamelan – A KS2 / KS3 Scheme of Work Resource An Overview and ten lesson plans that will take your class from first skills to first performance. Compiled by Richard McKerron with core content from Andy Gleadhill
At Drums for Schools we understand that teachers don’t just need a detailed resource book to help with the delivery of material unfamiliar to them, they also benefit from ‘Quick Reference’ lesson plans that will allow them to stay on track at a glance. The ten lesson plans and Overview document that we provide here are based upon content from ‘Andy Gleadhill’s Indonesian Gamelan Book’ and act as an accompaniment to it. You can use this resource to teach Indonesian Gamelan to your classes, but we recommend that you acquire a copy of the book in order to fully grasp the concepts and warm-up techniques for yourself.
Indonesian Gamelan – KS2 / KS3 Lesson Plans Overview Objectives Content and Activities
Lesson Lesson One
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To learn about the origins of Gamelan music. To learn about the instruments used in a Gamelan ensemble.
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Lesson Two
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To learn about the tuning system of the Gamelan. To learn about the cipher notation system.
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Students will understand the pentatonic nature of the scale used as well as gain an understanding of how to read a cipher system.
Lesson Three
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To learn about the roles of the different instruments within the Gamelan ensemble and to learn how the role of the drum (ciblon) fits within the ensemble.
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Students will practise how to play the metallophones consistently and accurately. The drums (ciblon) will be introduced and played.
Lesson Four
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To learn about the role of the gongs within the Gamelan ensemble and to learn how to link the gong, drum and metallophone cycles.
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Lesson Five
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To learn the whole of the tune Lancaran Bintang on the metallophones and to learn how to link this tune with the gong and drum cycles.
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Key Musical Vocabulary: Rhythm, melody, tempo, fast, slow, gamel, peking, saron, demung, drum, ciblon, gong, cycle, pattern, introduction, ending. All: All students will be able to keep a basic pulse under the music.
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Students will take part in a teacher led discussion about Indonesia and the history and culture of Gamelan. Engage in correct technique and end-weighting.
Students will practise playing the metallophones and ciblon consistently and accurately. The gongs will be introduced and time divisions explored. Students will develop the full tune of Lancaran Bintang and begin to structure and layer their performance in a sensible way.
Resources Required: Gamelan instruments, performance space, presentation screen & sound system.
Most: Most students will be able to play them main theme and metallophone variations.
Some: Some students will take a lead role, dictating speed and development.
© Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com
Indonesian Gamelan – KS2 / KS3 Lesson Plans Overview Objectives Content and Activities
Lesson Lesson Six
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To learn the parts for the peking and demung for the tune Lancaran Bintang and to be able to learn to play all three parts for the metallophones together as an ensemble.
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Students will learn how the peking and demung patterns vary in line with the main core melody and practise playing these in conjunction with the gong and drum cycles.
Lesson Seven
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To build up each of the three metallophone parts in conjunction with the gong and drum cycles and to learn the traditional introduction and ending to Lancaran Bintang.
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Students will learn how to play the set introduction and ending to Lancaran Bintang and practise putting everything they have learned so far into one longer performance.
Lesson Eight
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To learn about the structure of the performance of Lancaran Bintang and to learn how the tempo of the music can speed up and slow down during a performance.
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Students will learn about the slow increase of tempo that Gamelan music has as well as the rapid deceleration involved before the ending and practise accordingly.
Lesson Nine
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To learn about the structure of the performance of Lancaran Bintang and to learn how each section of the Gamelan ensemble is introduced during the performance.
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Students will consolidate everything they have learned so far and practise the whole piece ready for the public performance next lesson.
Lesson Ten
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To play the entire performance ready arrangement of Lancaran Bintang before a live audience
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Students will prepare the performance space ready for guests and perform Lancaran Bintang to a live audience. Some may answer questions from the audience.
Key Musical Vocabulary: Rhythm, melody, tempo, fast, slow, gamel, peking, saron, demung, drum, ciblon, gong, cycle, pattern, introduction, ending. All: All students will be able to keep a basic pulse under the music.
Resources Required: Gamelan instruments, performance space.
Most: Most students will be able to play them main theme and metallophone variations.
Some: Some students will take a lead role, dictating speed and development.
© Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com
Indonesian Gamelan – KS2/KS3 Lesson Plans Lesson One – Quick Reference Objective • To learn about the origins of Gamelan music. • To learn about the instruments used in a Gamelan ensemble.
Page Reference Andy Gleadhill’s Indonesian Gamelan Book.
Outcome • Students will understand about the history and culture of Gamelan. • Students will recognise the different instruments used in a Gamelan ensemble. Warm-up and Starter • Watch some of this video to introduce the Gamelan ensemble: Video Link • Talk about Indonesia and the role that Gamelan plays in society. • Introduce students to the instruments they will be playing in their Gamelan ensemble.
Chapter 1: Introduction. Chapter 2: What is Gamelan?
Chapter 8: Basic Main Activity Playing Techniques; • Explain the correct way to hold the gamel (the beaters). • Explain the importance of the end-weighted nature of The Metallophones, Holding the beaters, Gamelan music. Damping the notes. • Practise playing note 1 on beat 4. Chapter 9: The Music. Chapter 11: Warm-up Exercises; Exercise 1 – The Metallophones, 1a. Independent Work KS2: Practise playing with the correct technique as you rotate round the class to provide assistance.
Chapter 3: Traditions and Etiquette.
KS3: Research the traditions, customs and musical techniques that surround playing the Gamelan. This video would make a good starting point: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsPdTNGnr44 Performance & Plenary • Help the students to play a series of end-weighted notes. • What went well? • What can be done better next time?
© Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com
Indonesian Gamelan – KS2/KS3 Lesson Plans Lesson Two – Quick Reference Objective • To learn about the tuning system of the Gamelan. • To learn about the cipher notation system.
Page Reference Andy Gleadhill’s Indonesian Gamelan Book.
Outcome • Students will understand the pentatonic tuning of the Gamelan. • Students will understand the cipher numbering system used for the notes. Warm-up and Starter • Watch this video and discuss what makes it a good ensemble performance: Video Link • Students should become “Ready to Play”. • Explain the pentatonic tuning system used in the Gamelan. • Explain how the cipher numbering system functions.
Main Activity • Explain how the Gamelan ensemble is laid out. • Play the exercises 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d. • Practise moving between the notes.
Chapter 8: Basic Playing Techniques. Chapter 4: The Tuning of the Gamelan. Chapter 10: Cipher Notation.
Chapter 7: The Layout of the Gamelan. Chapter 11: Warm-up Exercises; Exercise One – The Metallophones, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d. Chapter 10: Cipher Notation.
Independent Work KS2: Practise playing with the correct technique as you rotate round the class to provide assistance. KS3: Continue with your research project. Performance & Plenary • Help the students to play a performance of exercise 1d. • What went well? • What can be done better next time?
© Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com
Indonesian Gamelan – KS2/KS3 Lesson Plans Lesson Three – Quick Reference Objective • To learn about the roles of the different instruments within the Gamelan ensemble. • To learn how the role of the drum (ciblon) fits within the ensemble.
Page Reference Andy Gleadhill’s Indonesian Gamelan Book.
Outcome • Students will understand how each instrument has a different part to play in the ensemble. • Students will understand the time keeping role of the drum within the ensemble. Warm-up and Starter • Watch this video which gives a good summary of the different instruments of the gamelan, their sounds and techniques Video Link • Explain the role of the different instruments within your gamelan ensemble, referring back to the video. • Play exercises 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d using steady beats. • Practise moving between the notes. Main Activity • Explain the role of the ciblon and play exercises 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d. • Play exercises 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d on the metallophones with the ciblon playing its exercises 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d respectively.
Independent Work KS2: Follow the art instructions at the end of the video you watched at the start of the lesson. KS3: Continue with your research project.
Chapter 11: Warm-up Exercises; Exercise One – The Metallophones, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d.
Chapter 11: Warm-up Exercises; Exercise Three – The Drums (Ciblon), 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d. Chapter 11: Warm-up Exercises; Exercise One – The Metallophones, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d. Chapter 9: The Music.
Performance & Plenary • Help the students to play a performance of exercises 1d and 3d together. • What went well? • What can be done better next time?
© Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com
Indonesian Gamelan – KS2/KS3 Lesson Plans Lesson Four – Quick Reference Objective • To learn about the role of the gongs within the Gamelan ensemble. • To learn how to link the gong, drum and metallophone cycles.
Page Reference Andy Gleadhill’s Indonesian Gamelan Book.
Outcome • Students will understand how the gongs divide up the musical phrases. • Students will be able to recall the cycles of different instruments within the ensembles. Warm-up and Starter • Watch this video of a performance of ‘Baris’ and ask how it makes the students feel, and what they think the story of the music is? How did they come to those conclusions? Video Link There is contextual information for you under the video to see how close your ideas were. • Play exercises 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d on the metallophones whilst the ciblon goes through exercises 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d at the same time. Main Activity • Explain the role that the gongs play in dividing up the musical phrases. • Explain the technique needed to produce the best tone on the gongs. • Play the gong cycle for Lancaran Bintang. • Play exercises 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d on the metallophones in conjunction with exercises 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d on the ciblon and 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i and 2j on the gongs. Independent Work KS2: Independent practice on instruments, with rotating teacher support. KS3: Continue with your research project.
Chapter 11: Warm-up Exercises; Exercise One – The Metallophones, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d; Exercise Three – The Drums (Ciblon), 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d.
Chapter 10: Cipher Notation.Chapter 8: Basic Playing Techniques; The Gongs.Chapter 11: Warm-up Exercises; Exercise Two – The Gongs, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i, 2j.
Chapter 9: The Music.
Performance & Plenary • Sequence all the exercises learnt so far into a developing layered performance. • What went well? • What can be done better next time?
© Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com
Indonesian Gamelan – KS2/KS3 Lesson Plans Lesson Five – Quick Reference
Page Reference
Objective • To learn the whole of the tune Lancaran Bintang on the metallophones. • To learn how to link this tune with the gong and drum cycles.
Andy Gleadhill’s Indonesian Gamelan Book.
Outcome • Students will be able to play the full tune of Lancaran Bintang. • Students will then be able to link this to the gong and drum cycles. Warm-up and Starter • Learn to sing the traditional Indonesian folksong Burung Kakak Tua using one of these videos, or teaching it yourself. KS2: Video Link KS3: Video Link • Play exercises 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d on the metallophones in conjunction with the ciblon playing exercises 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d and the gongs playing exercises 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 2h, 2i and 2j. Pay particular attention to the whole ensemble playing at the same pace. Main Activity • Begin to learn the full tune of Lancaran Bintang by playing exercises 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i and 1j. • Play the entire tune of Lancaran Bintang on the metallophones (1j) in conjunction with the gong cycle (2j) and the drum cycle (3j).
Chapter 11: Warm-up Exercises
Chapter 11: Warm-up Exercises; Exercise One – The Metallophones, 1d, 1e, 1f,1g, 1h, 1i,1j.
Independent Work KS2: Draw a picture or write a list of words that describe the atmosphere and mood of Lancaran Bintang. Discuss with a partner how you think the music creates these effects. KS3: Continue with your research project Performance & Plenary • Play a performance of 1j, 2j and 3j as a developing layered performance. • What went well? • What can be done better next time?
© Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com
Indonesian Gamelan – KS2/KS3 Lesson Plans Lesson Six – Quick Reference Objective • To learn the parts for the peking and demung for the tune Lancaran Bintang. • To be able to learn to play all three parts for the metallophones together as an ensemble.
Page Reference Andy Gleadhill’s Indonesian Gamelan Book.
Outcome • Students will understand how the peking flowers and demung skeletal parts function within the music. • Students will be able to play all three metallophone parts together as an ensemble. Warm-up and Starter • Talk to the students about patterns in music, in KS3 you might like to use this video: Video Link How important are patterns to gamelan music? What about in the other music that the students enjoy listening to? • Practise playing the entire tune of Lancaran Bintqng by layering sections 1j, 2j and 3j on the metallophones, gongs and ciblon respectively. Main Activity • Explain how the decorative flowers part for the peking plays within the music, then demonstrate how this works. • Explain how the skeletal part for the demung plays within the music, then demonstrate how this works. • Play the full tune on the saron, the decorative flowers part on the peking and the skeletal demung part altogether at the same time across the ensemble.
Chapter 11: Warm-up Exercises
Chapter 10: Cipher Notation. Chapter 11: Warm-up Exercises. Chapter 13: Creating a Performance. Chapter 14: Ten Tunes; Tune One – Lancaran Bintang (Traditional). Drums for Schools MP3 Downloads.
Independent Work In small groups, create a number of rhythmic body percussion patterns, and a melodic vocal pattern and layer this up to create a piece of music. Performance & Plenary • Construct a developing layered performance that now uses all three metallophone lines. • What went well? • What can be done better next time? © Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com
Indonesian Gamelan – KS2/KS3 Lesson Plans Lesson Seven – Quick Reference Objective • To continue to build up each of the three metallophone parts in conjunction with the gong and drum cycles. • To begin to learn the traditional introduction and ending of Lancaran Bintang.
Page Reference Andy Gleadhill’s Indonesian Gamelan Book.
Outcome • Students will understand how to piece together all the parts of Lancaran Bintang. • Students will understand how to add a traditional introduction and ending to the music. Warm-up and Starter • Sing the traditional Indonesian folksong Burung Kakak Tua • Practise playing the entire tune by layering sections 1j, 2j and 3j on the metallophones, gongs and ciblon respectively. Main Activity • Teach the parts for the traditional introduction as shown in the full score for Lancaran Bintang. • Teach the parts for the traditional ending as shown in the full score for Lancaran Bintang. • Begin to add the traditional introduction to the beginning of the music. Practise moving seamlessly from the introduction into the main tune.
Chapter 11: Warm-up Exercises
Chapter 10: Cipher Notation. Chapter 11: Warm-up Exercises. Chapter 13: Creating a Performance. Chapter 14: Ten Tunes; Tune One – Lancaran Bintang (Traditional). Drums for Schools MP3 Downloads.
Independent Work In small groups, create a number of rhythmic body percussion patterns, and a melodic vocal pattern and layer this up to create a piece of music. Performance & Plenary • Listen to some of the group’s performances and comment on the use of patterns. • What went well? • What can be done better next time?
© Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com
Indonesian Gamelan – KS2/KS3 Lesson Plans Lesson Eight – Quick Reference Objective • To learn about the structure of the performance of Lancaran Bintang. • To learn how the tempo of the music can speed up and slow down during a performance.
Page Reference Andy Gleadhill’s Indonesian Gamelan Book.
Outcome • Students will understand how a Gamelan performance is structured. • Students will learn to play a cycle that increases and decreases in tempo throughout the performance. Warm-up and Starter • Practise playing the entire tune by layering sections 1j, 2j and 3j on the metallophones, gongs and ciblon respectively. Add in the variant parts for the peking and demung. Main Activity • Develop the structure of the performance of Lancaran Bintang to consistently include the traditional introduction and ending. • Practise speeding up gently throughout the main theme and rapidly slowing down leading in to the ending. • Discuss the traditions and customs that surround playing the Gamelan performance or for KS3 see below:
Chapter 14: Ten Tunes; Tune One – Lancaran Bintang (Traditional). Chapter 10: Cipher Notation. Chapter 11: Warm-up Exercises. Chapter 13: Creating a Performance. Chapter 14: Ten Tunes; Tune One – Lancaran Bintang (Traditional). Drums for Schools MP3 Chapter 3: Traditional and Etiquette.
Independent Work KS3 students can present their research on the traditions, customs, and musical techniques of Gamelan Performance & Plenary • Create a consistent performance that includes all the elements learned so far, including the tempo changes and additional peking and demung lines. • What went well? • What can be done better next time?
© Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com
Indonesian Gamelan – KS2/KS3 Lesson Plans Lesson Nine – Quick Reference Objective • To learn about the structure of the performance of Lancaran Bintang. • To learn how each section of the Gamelan ensemble is introduced during the performance.
Page Reference Andy Gleadhill’s Indonesian Gamelan Book.
Outcome • Students will understand how a Gamelan performance is structured. • Students will be able to play a fully structured performance. Warm-up and Starter • Practise playing the entire tune by layering sections 1j, 2j and 3j on the metallophones, gongs and ciblon respectively. Add in the variant parts for the peking and demung. • Practise playing with the drastic tempo changes. Main Activity • Develop the structure of the Gamelan performance by introducing each of the three metallophone parts in turn. • Once all the parts have been introduced, practise the gradual speeding up and the sudden slowing down of the cycles on cue from the ciblon. • Practise the whole performance fluidly.
Chapter 14: Ten Tunes; Tune One – Lancaran Bintang (Traditional). Chapter 10: Cipher Notation. Chapter 13: Creating a Performance. Chapter 14: Ten Tunes; Tune One – Lancaran Bintang (Traditional). Drums for Schools MP3 Downloads.
Independent Work Discussion in groups about their final performance next lesson. Who will they invite? Where will it take place? How should they decorate the room? What do they need to remember to make it a successful performance. Will they include the song, and their composed pieces? Performance & Plenary • Track the students performing Lancaran Bintang in its entirety, including the systematic build-up of metallophones and the tempo alterations. • What went well? • What can be done better next time?
© Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com
Indonesian Gamelan – KS2/KS3 Lesson Plans Lesson Ten – Quick Reference Objective To play the entire performance ready arrangement of Lancaran Bintang before a live audience.
Page Reference Andy Gleadhill’s Indonesian Gamelan Book.
Outcome Students will be able to perform the entire arrangement of Lancaran Bintang to the best of their ability before a live audience. Warm-up and Starter • Prepare the room ready for the audience to arrive. • Set up the instruments and sit “Ready to Play”.
Main Activity • Perform the whole of the Lancaran Bintang arrangement as rehearsed. • Students can take questions and explain to the audience their role in the performance and how the music all fits together. • You could also include the song you have been learning, and/or some of their compositions in the performance
Chapter 14: Ten Tunes; Tune One – Lancaran Bintang (Traditional). Chapter 10: Cipher Notation. Chapter 13: Creating a Performance. Chapter 14: Ten Tunes; Tune One – Lancaran Bintang (Traditional). Drums for Schools MP3 Downloads.
Plenary • What went well? • What would they do differently next time? • What can they tell you about Indonesian Gamelan music?
© Drums for Schools Ltd. Teaching support and resources available from www.drumsforschools.com