Balinese Gamelan Music on Microtonal Guitar - Chris Charles

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Many thanks to Argun Çakır for the video and Ali Kazım Akdağ for mix and mastering.
The scale we used in the piece:
Pelog Selisir: D, Eb +30 F -15 A -30 Bb -15
www.microtonalguitar.org
#balineseguitar #gamelan #balinesemusic

[@alien432hz9]

You are not professional musician , you are PROFESSOR of music...

[@suastikabali2605]

Omg😱,I'm Balinese ,and you play gamelan barong with your guitar and was beautiful sir,love and much love for this

[@microtonalguitar]

Glad to hear this from a Balinese. Thanks! Check this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nobJlKOPj6lpibs

[@tony.guitarplayer]

I'm Indonesian and really love your playing. That was beautiful playing sir

[@microtonalguitar]

Glad to hear this. I was curious about the comments of Indonesians.

[@tony.guitarplayer]

Tolgahan Çoğulu You makes me miss my holiday in Bali. That was great time. You should go there. It's a nice place to holiday

[@dmavbchy]

I'm also Indonesian and it really so similar to gamelan that I wonder, how did you study that kind of music where the academic resource is very limited? The sad thing is the formal studies of microtonal music in Indonesia didnt get the hype, it will surely be a boost if you could research about that! I loved your channel since 6 yrs ago or so, and finding this only adds my love.

[@microtonalguitar]

Thanks a lot! Cris Forster's Musical Mathematics has a wonderful chapter about Indonesian music. All the best from Istanbul.

[@geoglyph6888]

Hi Donny, I wrote the piece shortly after reading Colin MacPhee's book Music in Bali. It is old and out of date but still one of the most comprehensive books on the topic, in English at least.

[@ArRizal]

@Thomas Myles Slendro is pentatonic: 1 2 3 4 5 (C- D E+ G A) and Pelog has 7 notes per octave: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (C+ D E- F# G# A B). Don't ask me to explain further because I just copy and paste 😅.

[@kikaidaboy]

There's either a Javanese or Balinese gamelan in the music dept. of most major universities.

[@anselmjulian9148]

I like the gamelan on the guitar.interested to learn more about it

[@Pradnov]

Feels like attending a traditional Javanese/ Balinese wedding, where the couple just entering the alley before the blessing is begin :D Nicely done sir!

[@microtonalguitar]

Glad to hear that it evoked that feeling.

[@anselmjulian9148]

The sound is very relaxing and nostalgic bro

[@johnjacob9395]

I need this on an album please ❤

[@bebekguitar2007]

My wife is Indonesian, we honeymooned in Lombok (island next to Bali). They had this very interesting music playing at the resort.. it was sort of entrancing and weirdly beautiful. I kept wondering how they got that sound... like a purposefully "untuned" (to my western ear) instrument. THIS IS THAT SOUND! A freakin' microtonal guitar?!? I never would've guessed.. crazy!

[@microtonalguitar]

So nice to hear this!

[@Bigkahkistan]

I think they must have their own instrument tuned to their own indigenous scale, he is just using the versatility of the microtonal guitar to imitate it

[@ThreesiXtydegreeS]

This song makes me happy, sad, confused, intrigued and relaxed at the same time.

[@microtonalguitar]

Interesting! Try this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4qukIN8bryHiKc

[@agungantara2757]

you got the Balinese sense..Really..

[@microtonalguitar]

Glad to hear that!

[@spacevspitch4028]

I'm pretty sure I've heard the 2nd tune (barong awakes) listening to a really long compilation of authentic gamelan music once. So impressed with how well you nailed the gamelan scale tuning. You definitely captured that distinct otherworldly beauty of it.

[@microtonalguitar]

Glad to hear it! Thanks.

[@kurtpenner2362]

Like listening to a new foreign language. Strange beauty.

[@microtonalguitar]

Thanks!

[@LuisDiazDrums]

this tunning gets really well with the guitar, my ear took like a couple bars to hear it as "right" but as you get used to it is gorgeus thanks for this sounds

[@FirstLightAdv]

I don't understand music but always wonder what makes balinese music sound balinese. My mind is blown looking at your frets!!

[@pustakarileks7404]

The material they use for instruments

[@danijelkisantal5783]

it is so disturbing and satisfying at the same time... very mysterious sounds

[@microtonalguitar]

Thanks! What about this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2Kme39-oKqsmqc

[@ems7623]

Why "disturbing?". Lol. Just because of the different tonal system? I think it's disorienting at first, but not for long.

[@kpdelaney6460]

@@ems7623 probably just association. Most of us have only heard microtonal sounds in horror film soundtracks. It definitely takes some getting used to, but I find it very beautiful even though some notes feel creepy because of these associations

[@andrewj3177]

Agreed just like watching the night sky, mysterious, beautiful, yet frightening

[@Erzmagister]

I feel like I'm dreaming and swimming in the previous life.

[@microtonalguitar]

LGHTNNG / 고라니Go! / Sumerian Enjoy your swim :)

[@mitchelldixon3735]

Im so glad you brought some fresh attention to the microtonal guitar..your playing is amazing

[@Pacotille_6529]

Hi I'm french and I play Javanese gamelan and I find your tunning is awesome!

[@microtonalguitar]

Glad to hear that!

[@tony.guitarplayer]

You rocks sir. Greetings from Indonesia

[@woodenhoe]

I never thought I'd see French and Javanese Gamelan in one sentence

[@devasyavlog8850]

It's balinese gamelan seems similar but it's quite different

[@icefaceH]

Oh my god it really sounds like Balinese Gamelan. You did such a great job!

[@microtonalguitar]

Thanks a lot Hidekazu!

[@wedanaputra9464]

really great, i never hear the guitar have the same tone as gamelan like this. warmest greeting from Bali, Indonesia.

[@microtonalguitar]

Glad to hear that! Try the organic 7th: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppe0i3dsftCYiMk

[@pauldoan8391]

Beautiful 😍 spent a few weeks in Indonesia when my uncle lived in Bandung went to a few concerts have several cds it always transport me back to Indonesia thank you

[@james_899]

I absolutely love this piece !!

[@captainawkward5967]

This is scratching right in between my ears. I love it!

[@niloot.8816]

Amazing piece and performance.🙋

[@donbrahms]

Once upon a time there was a kingdom, their power stretches out in a chain of islands on the equator. Lord of the Ocean. The Sun shinning through out the year. gold, spices, worship, knowledge, poem and all the beautiful things that does not occur in the northern hemisphere.....

[@osmith9212]

I (and the world) desperately need more Gamelan music. There is so little to be found here in America.

[@microtonalguitar]

I need composers to write for me.

[@microtonalguitar]

Sean Francis Waters Lancaster Great! Because i am super busy this term, could you write me a 2-minute long Balinese music? Is it possible?

[@microtonalguitar]

Sean Francis Waters Lancaster for solo microtonal guitar. Could it sound traditional like this video?

[@harrisippola9287]

What a glorious piece of music ❤

[@brianfergus839]

Beautiful interpretation

[@safwanmuhaimin8263]

It sounds exactly like a siter, a kind of kanun used in gamelan. 👍🏼

[@microtonalguitar]

Glad to hear that! Check this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2i1n52Bf96MfNk

[@thonza78]

Beautiful arrangement and playing!

[@microtonalguitar]

thonzaa Thanks a lot! You might like the microtonal Bach experiment as well.

[@angellaboy8336]

Haunting beauty of a work. Beautiful arrangements and finger work. That bass ensemble compliments the higher notes transcendently. Makes me feel utterly alone yet relaxed with the thought of existing as such. And deeply sad. In a way that is rich and meaningful. Painfully sad.

[@ems7623]

The gamelan scale on a chordophone. It seems to bring out the "dissonant" pulse vibrations in intervals more clearly than any of the gamelan metallophones. Interesting. I'm also impressed that you've mastered gamelan tones / scales so well that you can play them on a microtonal instrument. I don't think nonmusicians (even Indonesian musicians, perhaps) really understand the level of careful thought and skill entailed in this.

[@phillipbrandel7932]

Check out the channel Objective Harmony’s video on the tuning of gamelan music. Gamelan instruments produce a different harmonic series than most western instruments and so the tuning has evolved in accordance with that harmonic series to minimize dissonance between partials.

[@unoaotroa]

@@phillipbrandel7932 Those instruments, metallophones, produce what is called an inharmonic spectrum, versus what cordophones, aerophones and membranophones produce, which are called harmonic spectrums.

[@joex9865]

Beautiful

[@hereisacomment4u]

big fan of the channel. please keep making videos!

[@microtonalguitar]

Thanks! Try this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3rMnp2MitmbeJI

[@dimasbazz5975]

Dope man, you are great, thank you for this great tone you did

[@microtonalguitar]

Thanks!

[@menantea]

Great music.. Thank you..

[@mochammadromadhoni6929]

So peaceful..

[@lunyxappocalypse7071]

Adding to my playlist of Microtunes...

[@bayuwicaksono3241]

Had no idea that microtonal guitar could replicate 'slendro' tone from gamelan accurately. Great job.

[@bobh808]

Honestly I clicked on this thinking it would be... an approximation. But you nailed it. Absolutely gorgeous.

[@microtonalguitar]

Glad to hear that!

[@jasonbonifacio2473]

This dude is something else. Unbelievable.

[@buxoroqrm1041]

Beautiful music

[@nipulkradmsinatagras8293]

*It's utterly satisfying from beginning to end.*

[@aquelerromojas4424]

*On the way to BALI...🌻*

[@intervalkid]

That sounds excellent. You got the tones just right. Sounds Gamelan.

[@microtonalguitar]

Glad to hear that!

[@user-bc9jc8jp7f]

Excelente! Revelador! Una guitarra de 8 cuerdas y ¡microtonal! Muy innovador. Soy guitarrista clásico, pero nunca he tocado una de éstas.

[@rockergirl2489]

Love it 😍

[@1Cyberix]

Very impressive. Thank you.

[@bayurinaldi428]

your play feels so sacred..

[@OdinComposer]

Wow so cool. This fills me with a completely special feeling...

[@microtonalguitar]

Glad to hear that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWabh52gratojqc

[@grandtheftautocj]

Beautiful music as always.

[@microtonalguitar]

Thanks a lot! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZLZdph4n5J6Z7M

[@thewhisper3481]

So beautiful..

[@danijelkisantal5783]

I think that one is the best you have played

[@dzakiraa.n9605]

kenikmataan musik indonesia bali...good

[@ardiologi]

nice rendition of balinese music

[@alwanrosyidi2772]

It is beautiful, spiritual and magical.

[@microtonalguitar]

Glad to hear that

[@deancaldwell8362]

Love it 🤙🏾

[@kurisuchiinathecrocodile333]

this is just... MAGIC

[@MurayevVaha]

Sounds very good

[@24zex]

Fantastic! Bravo!!!

[@devasyavlog8850]

Omg we proud of you as Indonesian, you have our spirit 🔥🤘

[@microtonalguitar]

Thanks!

[@cheziJi]

what a wonderful song！！！！I love it

[@JosephPardyMusic]

that was sick my dude

[@anastasias.6642]

love it so much! thanks for sharing

[@microtonalguitar]

You're welcome, cheers from Paris.

[@ricoxrt2719]

Анастасія Савдєєва nice

[@7Korat]

This music has big potential to be adapt to Post Rock genre.

[@deathoftheendless001]

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard utilizes microtones in their music

[@wordviruses]

Check out the band Macha!

[@Iiochilios1756]

Dissonances was adopted by extrem metal long ago.

[@dxaminal777]

Seriously that intro riffage has great ambient shoegaze vibes too.

[@randihillhill1769]

No need

[@bagussatrio3242]

I very like, you very nice play music

[@agungantara2757]

ahhh..Love thisss...thanks..

[@microtonalguitar]

Thanks a lot!

[@bibsyizwildan6893]

I wanna play this guitar..

[@stein0niets]

crazy nice amazing!

[@panjib174]

thank you for playing it. Also, I'm curious to hear you playing the others system from my country e.g javanese and sundanese gamelan.

[@microtonalguitar]

I hope a composer will compose a piece in those tunings for me.

[@killboybands1]

Beautiful.

[@microtonalguitar]

Thanks a lot. Try this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3nUiX-metV9eKM

[@wolfthunder2526]

Ah, mandalungan scale. I don't realize that it shares the same notes too. Nice play.

[@microtonalguitar]

What is Mandalungan scale? Can you give some details?

[@wolfthunder2526]

@@microtonalguitar Mandalungan is one of the traditional Sundanese scales besides pelog, slendro, and madenda/sorog. It is just like madenda (roughly G, F#, E, C, B), but the second note is half step down (F). I used to hear Balinese scale (this one, barongan), then I realized that both scales are the same. Btw, Balinese has another scale called "slonding", i hope you can try it with your guitar. 🐺👍

[@microtonalguitar]

@@wolfthunder2526 Thanks a lot! If you compose or arrange me a short simple piece, I'd like to record and publish it here.

[@jakaalatas8938]

won't surprise since they share same cultural root.

[@sandechoir]

beautiful

[@tendyapryanto4994]

Oh my God... this is really Balinese.. so proud of you sir. Selam from Endonezya...

[@microtonalguitar]

Glad to hear that from you!

[@spacevspitch4028]

Listening some more I made a bit of a realization. I don't know how you or other people hear this music but I hear it all in the key of Bb (even when ending on a strong D octave, I hear it as the 3rd). Since the Bb is flat and the Eb sharp, when an Eb resolves down to the D, I hear the sharpness of the 4th. I guess I'm just trying to get a lockdown on what makes the gamelan scale so unique!

[@RizalBudiLeksono]

I thought the same as you.

[@simonomis04]

Ini sangat bagus, great job sir

[@Agussetiawan1980_]

Nice bro greting from bali👍👍

[@thatjuicychicken1650]

I'm Indonesian and I love your performance! Good job friend!!

[@microtonalguitar]

Glad to hear this from you! Cheers. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYbSoGR8gKimaKs

[@ilikethrees909]

Nice!

[@Hambonillo]

That is a very fine video production and I loved the performance/compositions.

[@microtonalguitar]

Great to hear this. Thanks. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWabh52gratojqc

[@bingefeller]

Haunting, I would love to hear this with loads of reverb on the guitar.

[@microtonalguitar]

sus4b9 Next time more reverb then

[@bmw335hdk2]

Awesome...

[@rantalamannen]

i Love this really beautiful

[@microtonalguitar]

Thanks! Check this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWabh52gratojqc

[@skripnigor]

Professor you have one of the most exciting guitar channels 👍 I wonder if you have experimented with making an individual string capo?

[@microtonalguitar]

No, I haven't tried that. It is a good idea!

[@Koraxus]

they already exist. check "spider capos"

[@rafaellazo3143]

brother its sounds as the original this is really legit !!!! love it !!

[@microtonalguitar]

Glad to hear that!

[@markhillband7635]

Your guitar channel makes me feel relaxed. I’ve always made original music and been told it was “weird” untill I discovered surf music and adapted it to that.. which it was received better ...then I discovered Persian music “ snake charmer “ scale.. extended harmonic minor.. but it’s still not quite what I’m trying to do. After watching your video on the correct harmonics I’ve realised, to get closer to what I’m chasing it’s obviously outside of the 12 note system.. but where exactly. It would be great if I could try some of those guitars with all the different intinations. I’m Australian with English/ Irish heritage so I don’t know where this style is coming from but I’m gonna head to Iran soon to check out some of the instruments there. It’s some sort of cross between Persian and Saharan... I think.. a Persian tar isn’t quite there either 😂😂😂

[@microtonalguitar]

Glad to hear that! I think you've found your way. Try this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHjEmX1je8Z-oLs

[@andywitch666]

beautiful journey!

[@microtonalguitar]

Thanks!

[@medtxastratospore5729]

Both Balinese and Egyptian sound he play sound divine.

[@asepabuhanipahabuabriel446]

good job

[@feraldynaufal]

I often play guitar scales for gamelan music, yet never sound like a real gamelan ensemble. Now I realize that there's a very subtle difference in guitar tuning and gamelan instruments tuning. Anyway, awesome playing!

[@microtonalguitar]

Actually it is more than subtle in my opinion. Try it on your guitar with added frets.

[@mr.astronuts3825]

Gamelan tuning is based on an entirely different harmonic series, or rather inharmonic series.

[@afternoonteawithlilou5449]

do you have more of this Balinese music? I love dancing to this

[@microtonalguitar]

I am afraid not. Maybe in the future

[@loremipsum4095]

Wow that's great !! Sounds very similar to gamelan

[@microtonalguitar]

Glad to hear that.

[@blindspot9097]

WHAT!!!! awesomeeeee!

[@ibrahimozcan9988]

Üstad ellerine sağlık 👌

[@naneek2]

great composition and performance. I really enjoy gamelan, it was very interesting to hear these scales and polyrhythyms on guitar. also, someone get one of these microtonal guitars to kaki king

[@microtonalguitar]

Thanks a lot! Check this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3nUiX-metV9eKM

[@naneek2]

thanks for the link, that piece was amazing!

[@tedisetiyawanbassshredders3663]

love it brother...

[@microtonalguitar]

Thanks! Try this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppe0i3dsftCYiMk

[@andiansukmara]

mirip banget lagu bali

[@thoughtFormMax]

Fantastic!

[@microtonalguitar]

Thanks!

[@georgehenry8391]

It's amazing and delightful hearing this style of music played on guitar. The timbre of the classical guitar is very suitable for gamelan, once the tuning is adjusted - to my ears, anyway. That seems true of the guitar you played in this video, anyway. Is there anything special about the guitar other than the fret positioning?

[@microtonalguitar]

Thanks! It is the adjustable microtonal guitar.

[@nuibii5916]

Its cool

[@vianized5248]

I love this, I wanna hear you play balinese gamelan 'hujan mas' hehe 😂👌

[@microtonalguitar]

Write me a piece and I'll play :)