Malay Gamelan and String Ensemble Cultural Hybridity: Instructional Material Development for Teaching Intermediate University-level String Ensemble Class Using Gamelan Repertories

Shafizan Sabri

Abstract

While humbly accepting scholarly opinions that hybridity is a global trend in cultural research, theory and criticism, and one of the most broadly utilized and reprimanded ideas in postcolonial theory, this research is a response to the already extant that western and non-western fusion is practicable. During cultural hybridization process, traditional components will not die out however will develop into a spectacular form. Tradition isn't something made stale or worn after some time, nonetheless develops throughout the years. From this perspective, the researcher decided to design a hybrid project that would cross cultural boundaries and bring the researcher into music and interpersonal dialogue between western and non-western elements. Two distinct elements which are the traditional Malay gamelan repertories and string ensemble as the Western instruments were brought together to create a work of intercultural beauty, respectful to both musical traditions and to the artists who practice them. The study attempts to create new arrangement for string ensemble using selected traditional Malay gamelan repertories and use these pieces as instructional material for teaching intermediate university-level string ensemble class. The results of the study assists music educator in developing instructional material which hybridized other Malaysian traditional music with western instruments.

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