Angklung Traditional Musical Instrument
The term "angklung" originates from the Sundanese words "angkleung-angkleung," which describe the player's swaying movements following the rhythm. Meanwhile, the word "klung" represents the distinct note produced by this instrument.
Each note is created by differently sized bamboo tubes. When shaken, they combine to produce a beautiful, pleasant melody. For this reason, playing a complete melody requires a group of angklung players performing together.
Angklungs are typically made from black bamboo (Awi wulung) or ater bamboo (Awi temen), which characteristically turns whitish-yellow as it dries. An angklung is assembled by bundling two to four bamboo tubes of varying sizes, tied together using rattan.
How to Play the Angklung
Playing the angklung is relatively simple—the musician holds the upper frame and shakes the lower part to produce sound. There are three fundamental playing techniques:
1. Kerulung (Vibrato)
This is the most common and basic technique. Both hands hold the base of the bamboo tubes and repeatedly shake them left and right while sustaining the note.
2. Centok (Jerk)
In this method, the tube is quickly pulled by the fingers toward the palm, causing the angklung to produce a single, sharp sound similar to a sudden accent.
3. Tengkep
With this technique, the player vibrates one tube while holding the other still to prevent it from resonating. This results in only one note sounding at a time.
Types of Angklung
Throughout the history of the angklung, many regions in Indonesia have developed new varieties. Here are several types of angklung:
1. Angklung Kanekes
Originating from the Baduy community, Angklung Kanekes is performed exclusively during rice-planting ceremonies. Only members of the Inner Baduy tribe are permitted to craft these instruments.
2. Angklung Reog
This type of angklung accompanies the Reog Ponorogo dance in East Java. It is visually and sonically distinct from standard angklungs, producing a louder sound with only two notes. Angklung Reog is often used decoratively and is also known as klong kluk.
3. Angklung Dogdog Lojor
Dogdog Lojor is a ritual honoring rice plants. This angklung is used solely during ceremonial processions. The tradition continues among the Kasepuhan Pancer Pangawinan community, or the Banten Kidul customary union, who hold the Dogdog Lojor ceremony annually.
In the Dogdog Lojor tradition, there are only six players: two handle the Dogdog Lojor angklungs, and the other four play the larger angklungs.
4. Angklung Badeng
Hailing from Garut, Angklung Badeng was originally used to accompany rice-planting rituals. With the spread of Islam in the past, its function shifted to supporting religious outreach (dakwah).
A full dakwah ensemble requires nine angklungs: two angklung roel, one angklung kecer, four angklung indung, two angklung anak, two dogdog, and two gembyung.
5. Angklung Padaeng
This variant was first introduced by Daeng Soetigna in 1938. He modified the tube structure to produce diatonic notes, allowing the angklung to be played alongside popular modern instruments.
Daeng Soetigna's vision was continued by Handiman Diratmasasmita, who aimed to elevate the angklung’s status to that of international musical instruments.
Handiman refined the diatonic angklung with further improvements. Another key figure in popularizing the angklung was Udjo Ngalegena.
