As Gamelan music is played on all 6000 inhabited of 17 000 islands in Indonesia, many observations and new research is posed on the different styles of Gamelan. Due to the nature of this task, it was not feasible to investigate all aspects of this investigation. Various topics of further investigation involved with Gamelan music have been highlighted as a result of the task. This includes discussions of:
- The correlation or difference between Javanese and Balinese Gamelan. Gordon states, “the difference between the Javanese and Balinese styles is radical. If Java is the Pink Floyd of gamelan - smooth, reflective, sedate, burnished, courtly in origin - then Bali would be the Small Faces - dynamic, bright, sparkling, clangorous, popular” (1994);
- An investigation into influences other than western art music upon gamelan; and
- How the musical styles have migrated from the main core of Java and Bali through cultural context.
Balinese Gamelan is a unique and individual style of music lending itself to many different cultural beliefs and values as well as historical links to society. For the Balinese, music is one of the most important parts of their communities, and they pride themselves in their joy for Gamelan. Gamelan will always have an effect on other regions of the world, as it influences and is influenced by many different cultures such as European nations. Through the research conducted, it has been shown that Gamelan warrants itself to many differences as well as similarities to western music, and it has provided itself its own musical area that is appreciated, acknowledged and played by many. Again, Gregg Howard states, “I see Gamelan as a ‘window’ into another musical tradition. It has different tunings, different approach to rhythm, different formal structures, and different teaching methods. It is ideal to give Western music students an authentic but very different experience of a music other than the Western music we know” (Howard, 2015). It is shown that Gamelan is very important within our society today, and will continue to have fulfilling cultural and musical influences into the future.
- The correlation or difference between Javanese and Balinese Gamelan. Gordon states, “the difference between the Javanese and Balinese styles is radical. If Java is the Pink Floyd of gamelan - smooth, reflective, sedate, burnished, courtly in origin - then Bali would be the Small Faces - dynamic, bright, sparkling, clangorous, popular” (1994);
- An investigation into influences other than western art music upon gamelan; and
- How the musical styles have migrated from the main core of Java and Bali through cultural context.
Balinese Gamelan is a unique and individual style of music lending itself to many different cultural beliefs and values as well as historical links to society. For the Balinese, music is one of the most important parts of their communities, and they pride themselves in their joy for Gamelan. Gamelan will always have an effect on other regions of the world, as it influences and is influenced by many different cultures such as European nations. Through the research conducted, it has been shown that Gamelan warrants itself to many differences as well as similarities to western music, and it has provided itself its own musical area that is appreciated, acknowledged and played by many. Again, Gregg Howard states, “I see Gamelan as a ‘window’ into another musical tradition. It has different tunings, different approach to rhythm, different formal structures, and different teaching methods. It is ideal to give Western music students an authentic but very different experience of a music other than the Western music we know” (Howard, 2015). It is shown that Gamelan is very important within our society today, and will continue to have fulfilling cultural and musical influences into the future.