Kristin Taavola
University of Colorado at Boulder
This paper examines various rhythmic and melodic transformations as musical
processes in the Balinese angklung gamelan repertoire. After a detailed
description of the instruments and music of the gamelan, I review the literature,
documenting the relevant scholarship pertaining to gamelan musics. Next,
I lay out a transformational methodology for use with the angklung repertoire,
taking into account the limited pitch schema and the cyclic rhythmic structure.
A representative analysis follows; this part of the study will examine the
various "melodies" of gamelan music, showing transformational
techniques on local levels, as well as across sections of pieces. The final
part of the paper compares the results obtained through the use of the tools
with the musical intuitions of a seasoned Balinese performer Depending upon
time constraints, parts of the pieces will be demonstrated.