Gamelan Cirebon : Glossary
Written by: Chad Bailey Nielson
Last updated: 11.30.2007

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This glossary is a compilation of terms from numerous sources. Intended as a broad overview it is important to note that, in Cirebon, terminology from village to village often differs dramatically.

Alihan: A transitional section in a given composition.

Bukaan: Opening melody to a given composition, performed by Saron, Bonang, or Rebab.

Deder: A section in a given composition which has a fast tempo.
Dodoan: A slow opening section of a given composition.

Kebonan: A section found in some musical compositions that is repeated an unspecified amount of times. Change occurs at signal from Kendang.
Kembangan: A variation or embellishment.
Kering: A section in a given composition which has a medium-fast tempo.
Ketukan: Doubling of the ketuk rhythm on Bonang, Kemyang or Vocal Senggak.

Lagu: Song or Composition.
Lagu Lanjar: A cyclical compositional form which utilizes a fixed melody.
Lagu Patokan: A cyclical compositional form in which there isn't a fixed melody, with elaborating instruments creating patterns moving to the kenong pitch.
Laras: Scale, tuning system.

Mat: The relative density of elaborative instrumental parts in relation to kenong tones.

Pathet: Loosely translated as mode with associations with certain time segments of the Wayang Purwa. There are five pathet in Laras Prawa and seven in Laras Pelog.
Patokan: Structural or pillar tones in a composition (usually kenong tones).
Pelog: A tuning system with seven non-equidistant tones to one octave.
Prawa: A tuning system with five semi-equidistant tones to one octave. (Referred to as Slendro in Central Java or Salendro in Sunda).

Racikan: A style of performance in which two musicians play an interlocking part on one Bonang in Gamelan Prawa, two Bonang in Gamelan Pelog or on two Saron in either tuning.

Sasmita: An indirect signal indicating a change in tempo, a transition to another section of a piece, or a transition to another piece altogether.
Senggak: Vocal cries emitted by musicians. Either staccato or in a melodic fashion.
Suluk: A mood-song or chant performed by the Dalang during a Wayang Purwa performance.

Talu: A composition or series of compositions performed as an opening to a Wayang Purwa or Topeng performance.
Tepakan: A style of Kendang drumming utilizing hands rather than sticks.
Tengahan: A section in a given composition which has a medium-slow tempo.
Terungtung: A style of Kendang drumming utilizing sticks rather than hands.

Udan-Angin: A style of performance which incorporates sudden stops in a musical composition wherein all instruments are silent until coming back in with a signal from the kendang.