Gamelans

/ˈɡæm.ə.lænz/ noun

Definition

Plural of gamelan; multiple Indonesian musical ensembles or collections of gamelan instruments.

Etymology

Simple plural of 'gamelan,' adding English '-s' suffix to the Javanese loanword.

Kelly Says

When ethnomusicologists compare different gamelans, they find that each region of Java developed its own unique sound—what works in Bali sounds completely different from Yogyakarta, meaning there's no single 'right way' to play gamelan music.

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