Art
The project for arts is to write a report on the traditional music from North Sumatra. We all researched about the instruments and the music. We found out what the music is used for and the meaning of it. Also during the fieldtrip, there was a traditional music group who performed for us on the boat. We got to experience North Sumatran music.
Music is a huge part of the North Sumatran culture. There are lots of North Sumatran traditional song and instruments. The North Sumatran music is certainly very diverse. From my visit with the class to Medan, I experienced the North Sumatran music. When we were on a boat, some Bataknese musicians were brought on. They came with their instruments and they sang. It was very merry and joyful. The music style was unique and traditional, but it was soothing and pleasant to listen to.
The instruments that those musicians used were also quite unique. There obviously guitars, two guitars. Then there was this small sack filled with sand. When the woman shaked it, it produced a sound which was quite essential for the group. But the most interesting instrument was the gondang. Gondang is a traditional instrument from North Sumatra. Once I saw them bringing the instrument, I knew it was old and traditional. It is basically a group of small drums which is struck with the hand. The pattern of strokes to the drums produce a fine sound. These drums aren’t always the same. They come in different sizes. However all the drums are arranged in a line and are hung to a piece of bamboo. Two wooden poles are then placed by the sides of the bamboo to make it stand.
Gondang is the traditional instrument that I saw from the performance. There are a variety of gondangs. Most of the gondangs are basically the same, but there are still lots of types. That reason to that is probably because there are countless Batak tribes. That is why each tribe probably has their own gondang. The gondang is played not only for entertainment. It is also played during ceremonies and rituals for the Batak people. Music is played during a family’s funeral and many other ceremonies. Music in North Sumatra is also used to express their feelings. When one is joyful or sorrow, music can help. Some types of gondang are gondang Sahalai, gondang Habonaran, and the gondang Parngosi. These three types are all very similar gondangs. They don’t seem to have much difference. The difference which I have spotted would be the amount of gondangs for each type. The only one which is similar to the one I encountered during the trip to Medan was the gondang Parngosi. Both had six amounts of drums. But I doubt that the amount of drums actually affect the gondang. The gondang surely gives some color to the North Sumatran music. The person who stroke the drums was quite talented, he definitely would be able to play the drums. North Sumatran music was a new experience for me.
The instruments that those musicians used were also quite unique. There obviously guitars, two guitars. Then there was this small sack filled with sand. When the woman shaked it, it produced a sound which was quite essential for the group. But the most interesting instrument was the gondang. Gondang is a traditional instrument from North Sumatra. Once I saw them bringing the instrument, I knew it was old and traditional. It is basically a group of small drums which is struck with the hand. The pattern of strokes to the drums produce a fine sound. These drums aren’t always the same. They come in different sizes. However all the drums are arranged in a line and are hung to a piece of bamboo. Two wooden poles are then placed by the sides of the bamboo to make it stand.
Gondang is the traditional instrument that I saw from the performance. There are a variety of gondangs. Most of the gondangs are basically the same, but there are still lots of types. That reason to that is probably because there are countless Batak tribes. That is why each tribe probably has their own gondang. The gondang is played not only for entertainment. It is also played during ceremonies and rituals for the Batak people. Music is played during a family’s funeral and many other ceremonies. Music in North Sumatra is also used to express their feelings. When one is joyful or sorrow, music can help. Some types of gondang are gondang Sahalai, gondang Habonaran, and the gondang Parngosi. These three types are all very similar gondangs. They don’t seem to have much difference. The difference which I have spotted would be the amount of gondangs for each type. The only one which is similar to the one I encountered during the trip to Medan was the gondang Parngosi. Both had six amounts of drums. But I doubt that the amount of drums actually affect the gondang. The gondang surely gives some color to the North Sumatran music. The person who stroke the drums was quite talented, he definitely would be able to play the drums. North Sumatran music was a new experience for me.
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