gamelan

[ gam-uh-lan, -luhn ]

noun

1. an Indonesian orchestra consisting of bowed stringed instruments, flutes, and a great variety of percussion instruments.

gamelan

/ ˈɡæmɪˌlæn /

noun

1. a type of percussion orchestra common in the East Indies

Word History and Origins

Origin of gamelan¹

1810–20; < Javanese, equivalent to gamel song accompanied by a gamelan + -an nominalizing suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of gamelan¹

from Javanese

Example Sentences

In particular, they studied the 'bonang', an instrument from the Javanese gamelan built from a collection of small gongs.

From Science Daily

Their December concert will feature Balinese gamelan, and in May, film and chamber music will combine to explore the connection between mothers and their children.

From Seattle Times

The tones suggest Indonesian gamelan music, but with less structured sonic patterns.

From Washington Post

Western audiences would likely experience a learning curve with sonifications that employ, say, the sound of a Javanese gamelan, but a framework that contains such options can flex and adapt to the data’s needs.

From Scientific American

This Balinese composer combines two different gamelan scales in his latest project.

From New York Times