Jazz Music Review - Essay Example

In Java, the fundamental principle is the cyclic recurrence of the temporal in which time gets estimates through running simultaneously. Java is the several concurrent cycles running simultaneously and critical days are reckoned as those points of coincidence between the different, continuous periods. The seven-day and five-day periods are calendrical and majorly used in Java. Day Five periods are in relation to the five-day market system while the seven-day cycle is adopted from Islamic and Arabic words for the days of the gamelan cycle. Where these cycles coincide is always an important day. The basic unit of gamelan music is a period marked by gong; the instrument has ten subdivisions that allow them to play in given intervals with varied intensities.

The first subdivision and the second subdivision are positioned at the instruments played and the active constraints; a dot below the cipher is for the lower octave while the above shows the upper octave. Like the cyclical concept of time, the fundamental duality of this music reflects a dual system of classification in Indonesia that amazes the observer with its consistency and thoroughness. Java consists of many aspects of life that culture does not classify. For instance, the mountains are believed to be the home of Javanese gods while the seas are the home of demons, places of death, and evil spirits. Java divides the universe into these two main parts. The pitches played on gamelan can be perceived as melody and can be hummed as well as fitted with words. Though its formation gets its ideas from cyclic subdivisions, Jazz was only played on special occasions though it is considered old with its earliest piece being Monggang was an award to Javanese by god Shiva (Wallin, Bjon, and Steven 27).

The cyclic model of playing music was in use even before 1500 AD. With time, the contour became more complicated on the basis of pitch differentiation. The addition to the gamelan ensemble of a host of vocal forms and vocally oriented instruments has further obscured the original con a tour of the archaic assembles. Many antiquated pieces also play in the modern style. Though listening to them in modern style is at times difficult but possible. Gamelan tradition has tunes and melodies that were original as a result of subdivisions in the concept of cyclical time.  Read More