TL;DR – Gamelan in Bali: What You Need to Know

• What is it? A traditional Balinese musical ensemble featuring gongs, metallophones, drums, and flutes.
• Cultural Role: Central to religious ceremonies, temple rituals, and traditional dance performances.
• How is it different? Faster, more dramatic, and rhythmically intense than Javanese or Sundanese gamelan.
• Where to watch: Temple festivals, Ubud Palace, Bali Arts Festival, and community banjar events.
• Instruments to know: Reyong, Gangsa, Kendang, Gong, Ceng-ceng, Trompong.
• UNESCO Status: Part of Indonesia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2021.
• Can tourists try it? Yes—many places offer workshops to learn and play gamelan instruments.

🎵 Did You Know about Gamelan?

• The Balinese believe gamelan instruments are sacred and inhabited by spirits—musicians often remove shoes before playing as a sign of respect.
• Each gamelan set is tuned uniquely—no two are alike! Instruments from different ensembles cannot be swapped or played together.
• NASA included a recording of Indonesian gamelan music on the Voyager Golden Record, sent into space in 1977 as a cultural message to extraterrestrials.

What is Gamelan? Definition & Cultural Importance

Gamelan is the traditional ensemble music of Bali, composed predominantly of percussive instruments such as gongs, metallophones, xylophones, cymbals, and hand-played drums, often complemented by flutes, strings, and chanting. The word “gamelan” derives from the Javanese word gamel, meaning “to strike or hammer,” reflecting the percussive nature of the orchestra.

In Bali, gamelan is far more than music—it’s a way of life. The rhythms and harmonies are woven into every aspect of Balinese Hindu ceremonies, including temple festivals, tooth-filing rituals, cremations, and weddings. Each ensemble is seen as sacred, with instruments believed to be spiritually inhabited. Before a performance, players often offer incense or flowers to honor the gamelan’s divine presence.

A Social and Spiritual Institution

Nearly every banjar (village cooperative) in Bali has its own gamelan group, known as a sekaa gong. Children often begin learning from age 6 or 7, ensuring the tradition is passed down through generations. These groups don’t just perform music—they serve as key social structures, building community pride and unity.

The music itself is deeply symbolic. Alternating cycles of tension and release represent cosmic balance. Fast interlocking melodies mirror the complexity of life. Dancers interpret the sounds with precise gestures, creating a complete performance art rooted in harmony between humans and the divine.

To listen to gamelan is to feel the pulse of Bali itself—a living tradition that reflects spiritual devotion, artistic discipline, and social connection all at once.

The History of Gamelan: From Sacred Origins to Global Recognition

Mythical Beginnings

According to ancient Javanese mythology, gamelan was created by the god Sang Hyang Guru, who ruled from Gunung Lawu (Mount Lawu) in East Java during the legendary Saka period. He crafted the first gong to summon the gods—a divine act that would lay the spiritual foundation for gamelan as a medium for communication between the mortal and celestial realms.

From Java to Bali

Gamelan music first took root in Java, but it flourished with a unique dynamism in Bali. When the Majapahit Empire collapsed in the 15th century, many Javanese nobles, artists, and priests fled to Bali, bringing gamelan instruments and knowledge with them. Over time, the Balinese developed their own faster, more percussive style—known for its shimmering tones and interlocking rhythms called kotekan.

Balinese Innovation and Village Life

Unlike the court-based gamelan of Java, Balinese gamelan thrived at the village level. Instruments were made by local craftsmen, and sekaa gong groups emerged in nearly every banjar. These community ensembles played vital roles in rituals, ceremonies, and festivals—creating a living, breathing art form sustained by daily life and devotion.

Global Appreciation and UNESCO Recognition

Balinese gamelan began captivating international audiences in the early 20th century through cultural exhibitions, research, and recordings. Scholars, composers, and ethnomusicologists from around the world studied its unique tonal scales and layered rhythms.

In 2011, UNESCO recognized Indonesian gamelan as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, acknowledging its spiritual significance and its role in fostering social harmony and cultural identity.

Today, Balinese gamelan is taught in universities and music conservatories worldwide. Yet it remains deeply rooted in local tradition, evolving while still echoing the sacred vibrations first imagined by Sang Hyang Guru centuries ago.

What Makes Balinese Gamelan Unique?

Balinese gamelan is one of Indonesia’s most vibrant and recognizable musical traditions, offering a striking contrast to the more meditative tones of its Javanese and Sundanese counterparts. But what exactly sets it apart?

Spiritual and Ceremonial Role in Bali

In Bali, gamelan is more than entertainment—it’s a sacred offering. Performances accompany temple rituals, cremation ceremonies (ngaben), metatah (tooth-filing rites), and full moon festivals. Every note is believed to carry spiritual vibrations that connect humans with the divine, making gamelan an audible prayer.

Group Expression and Community Harmony

Gamelan ensembles in Bali are deeply embedded in the banjar (village council) system. Children join sekaa gong groups at a young age, and regular rehearsals strengthen social bonds, foster discipline, and promote communal pride. Playing gamelan teaches coordination, humility, and the importance of harmony—both musically and socially.

Performance Style

Balinese gamelan is visually captivating. Musicians sit cross-legged on intricately carved instruments, and their playing is synchronized not only in rhythm but in gesture—creating a visually rhythmic flow. The music is often paired with traditional dances that tell stories from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, blending music, movement, and mythology into a single immersive experience.

What instruments are part of the Gamelan ensemble?

Reyong

The largest instrument in a gamelan is the reong is  played by a group of at least two and up to four people, and it appears like a long hollow frame holding roughly a dozen miniature gongs made of bronze plates. During the performance, the musicians take turns striking a gong with either a long wooden stick cushioned with soft thread or hard wooden mallets, resulting in a wide range of tones. The high and low tones of a reyong are determined by its size and thickness.  The greater the size, the lower the pitch, the more concave it is, and the higher the pitch.

Trompong

Although not commonly utilized, It is played at the front of the ensemble, facing the audience. Like the reyong, it consists of 10 gongs or kettle gongs, with each covering about two octaves. It is performed by a single individual who acts as a type of ensemble leader and sits on a small stool, playing the primary melody line. The trompong player is an honored musician, due to the required skills to be able to improvise, paraphrase the melodies, and take control across a span of more than two meter rows of melodic bronze plates.

Gangsa

A common gamelan instrument that is usually played by the ensemble leader. It looks like a bamboo xylophone with four to fourteen metal plates. During the performance, the ensemble leader will act as a conductor, raising the wooden mallet like a baton as the other instruments follow suit. The player moves at breakneck speed, holding the mallet with his right hand and then using his left hand to reduce the force of beaten bars.

Gong

The massive bronze gongs that are found at the back of the band. Suspended gongs are smooth, round metal discs that are hung vertically by a string threaded through holes at the top rim of an ornate frame. The player only appears during certain portions of the song, pounding the instrument with a cloth-covered mallet to produce a deep mellow tone to add a mystic vibe to the performance.

Ceng-ceng

Ceng ceng are metal cymbal pieces decorated with red tasseled threads that are struck against one another. The rope at the top of the ceng-ceng provides a grip. Ceng-ceng is constructed from six round metal pieces on the bottom and two round metal pieces on top. The musical instrument is an important part of the various Balinese gamelan ensembles.

Kendang

The Kendang, one of the main instruments in the gamelan ensemble, is a traditional two-headed drum made of hollow cylindric wood covered with leather on both ends, similar to the pahu drum from Hawaii.

Some kendang have a larger side than the other, but in Bali, both sides are the same size and are played with a combination of hands and/or sticks.

In a wayang performance, the kendang player will try to mimic the dancer’s movements and relay them to the rest of the ensemble. In Balinese Gamelan, there are two kendang: Kendang wadon, the “female” and lowest pitched, and Kendang lanang, the “man” and highest pitched.

When and Where to Experience Gamelan in Bali

Bali’s gamelan music is woven into the daily fabric of life. You don’t need a ticket to hear it—just an open ear and a little curiosity. Here’s where (and when) you’re most likely to witness this powerful art form in action:

1. Religious Ceremonies & Temple Festivals

Gamelan is inseparable from Balinese Hindu rituals. During full moons, temple anniversaries (odalan), and major holidays like Galungan or Nyepi, gamelan orchestras accompany processions, blessings, and sacred dances.

Where: Besakih Temple, Pura Luhur Uluwatu, Pura Taman Ayun, village temples across Bali
When: Follow the Balinese calendar or ask your accommodation about local ceremonies nearby.

2. Dance Performances & Cultural Shows

Experience gamelan paired with mesmerizing traditional dances—like the Legong, Barong, or Kecak fire dance. Many cultural venues offer nightly performances showcasing the gamelan-dance symbiosis.

Top Venues:

• Ubud Palace (Puri Saren) – Nightly gamelan and Legong shows in a royal courtyard
• ARMA Museum & Neka Museum – Cultural nights with live orchestras
• Pura Dalem Ubud & Batubulan Village – Famous for Barong & Keris performances

3. The Bali Arts Festival (Pesta Kesenian Bali)

Bali’s biggest celebration of music, dance, and visual arts. Held annually from mid-June to mid-July in Denpasar, this month-long event showcases the best sekaa gong (gamelan groups) from every regency.

Don’t Miss: Competitive gamelan battles, parade-style openings, and the grandeur of the Bali Arts Centre amphitheater in Denpasar.

4. Community Rehearsals (Sekaa Gong)

Most villages have their own gamelan ensembles that rehearse weekly. If you hear music from a banjar (community hall), stop by and watch respectfully—you’ll likely be welcomed warmly. It’s a raw, unfiltered window into daily Balinese life.

5. Hotels, Spas & Resorts

High-end resorts often feature gamelan during welcome ceremonies, spa rituals, or romantic dinners. While curated, these performances offer travelers a serene introduction to gamelan’s meditative qualities.

Tip: Look for hotels that offer gamelan workshops for guests—some even let you try the instruments!

6. Music & Dance Schools

Institutions like ISI Denpasar (Bali Institute of the Arts) and community centers in Ubud offer performances, lectures, and workshops for those wanting a deeper dive into gamelan theory and practice.

Pro Tip: Ask Locals

Bali’s best gamelan experiences often aren’t found on a schedule—they’re whispered through communities. Chat with your driver, host, or local vendors for tips on where gamelan might be playing that day. You may stumble upon an impromptu performance in a village that will stay with you forever.

Gamelan in Modern Bali: Innovation & Education

While gamelan is rooted in sacred tradition, it’s far from stuck in the past. In modern Bali, gamelan is experiencing a creative renaissance—bridging generations, fusing genres, and finding new audiences around the world.

1. Gamelan in Contemporary Music

Balinese composers and musicians are pushing boundaries by blending traditional gamelan instruments with electronic music, jazz, and even rock. These experimental fusions are reshaping how gamelan is perceived—not just sacred, but also global and modern.

Notable Projects:

• Bali 1928 – A project reviving vintage gamelan recordings with modern twists.
• ISYANA Sarasvati & Balawan – Collaborations that fuse gamelan with pop and guitar virtuosity.
• Balinese Soundscapes – Found in international film scores and multimedia installations.

2. Education & Preservation

Bali is home to several institutions dedicated to the preservation and evolution of gamelan:

• ISI Denpasar (Bali Institute of the Arts) – Bali’s most prominent arts university, offering degrees in traditional music and choreography, with public recitals and research programs.
• Sanggar Seni (Art Studios) – Found in most villages, these local art studios teach children gamelan and dance from a young age, preserving oral and rhythmic traditions.
• Yayasan Mudra Swari Saraswati – Hosts the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, sometimes featuring gamelan and storytelling integration.

3. International Recognition & Cultural Exchange

Balinese gamelan has inspired musicians and scholars worldwide. Ensembles exist in universities from the USA to Japan. Students travel to Bali to study its rhythms, while Balinese gamelan troupes perform internationally as cultural ambassadors.

Did You Know? The United Nations’ cultural agency UNESCO designated Indonesian gamelan as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021, celebrating its enduring significance and global influence.

4. Workshops for Visitors

Want to try it yourself? Many Ubud-area schools and art centers offer hands-on gamelan workshops for tourists. These immersive classes let you learn basic rhythms, try multiple instruments, and connect directly with Balinese musical culture.

Recommended Places:

• ARMA Museum, Ubud
• Five Art Studio, Keliki Village
• Banjar Gamelan groups with open sessions

Gamelan isn’t just an ancient sound—it’s a living, evolving force. In classrooms, art studios, and stages worldwide, it continues to inspire, educate, and enchant. Join a workshop or attend a show, and you’ll be part of its future.

Did You Know? Surprising Facts About Balinese Gamelan

• Each village has its own sound: Balinese gamelan styles differ from village to village—some faster, some more meditative—reflecting regional identities.
• Instruments are tuned in pairs: Gamelan instruments are usually built in pairs and slightly detuned to create a shimmering sound called ombak (wave).
• No two gamelan ensembles are alike: Gamelan instruments are custom-made as a set. You can’t mix and match instruments from different gamelan—each has a unique tuning.
• Gamelan is passed down orally: Traditional gamelan players learn by listening and repeating, not reading sheet music. It’s a skill honed over years of group practice.
• Only men used to play gamelan: Traditionally, gamelan was male-dominated. But today, more and more women’s ensembles are rising and thriving across Bali.
• It’s played during cremation ceremonies: Gamelan is not just for celebrations—it also plays a vital role in funerals, especially in uplifting processions called ngaben.
• Gong Kebyar didn’t exist 150 years ago: One of the most popular gamelan styles today, Gong Kebyar (“to flare up”), emerged only in the early 20th century after the collapse of the Balinese kingdoms.
• Gamelan is used for healing: In traditional medicine, gamelan rhythms are believed to restore balance between body and spirit, especially in temple healing ceremonies.
• You can learn gamelan abroad: Top universities like UCLA, Wesleyan, and SOAS London have their own Balinese gamelan ensembles for global cultural study.
• Gamelan is in movies: Its eerie, metallic tones have been used in Hollywood films like Inception and Avatar to add exotic and mysterious soundscapes.

These fascinating facts highlight just how rich and complex Balinese gamelan is—not just as music, but as a cultural language and living heritage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gamelan in Bali

Bali Art Festival

Pesta Kesenian Bali is an annual cultural arts event held in Denpasar from the middle of June to the middle of July. Each banjar from Bali’s nine regions will send their best musicians to compete on an epic stage at the Bali Art Centre. People will come from all over the island to cheer on their representatives. Local groups from the Gianyar regency usually give the most impressive performances among the hundreds of teams competing in this one-month event. Among the most highly anticipated events on the island, this event consistently receives thunderous applause from its many fans.