Day 1 – Music: Indian Sitar, Japanese Koto, and Indonesian Gamelan
By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
- Identify the structural features and playing techniques of the Indian Sitar, Japanese Koto, and Indonesian Gamelan.
- Explain how these instruments reflect the culture and traditions of their countries.
- Demonstrate understanding by comparing their similarities and differences through a guided activity.
- Sitar – A plucked string instrument from India with sympathetic strings.
- Mizrab – The plectrum used to pluck the sitar.
- Koto – A Japanese zither with 13 strings and movable bridges.
- Tsume – Finger picks used to play the koto.
- Gamelan – A traditional Indonesian ensemble featuring gongs, metallophones, and drums.
- Slendro – A five-tone tuning system used in gamelan music.
- Pelog – A seven-tone tuning system used in gamelan music.
- Which Asian country is known for using stringed instruments in its traditional music?
Show Answer
India and Japan. India has the sitar, while Japan has the koto. - What kind of instruments are usually played in groups and produce layered rhythms?
Show Answer
Indonesian Gamelan ensembles, which use gongs, metallophones, and drums. - Why do you think many Asian musical instruments are tied to religious and cultural practices?
Show Answer
Because music in Asia is often connected to rituals, festivals, and traditions, making instruments part of cultural identity.
Part 1: Discovering the Indian Sitar
The sitar is one of the most iconic stringed instruments in the world, originating from India. It has a long neck, movable frets, and a gourd-shaped resonator. The sitar is well-known for its shimmering sound, enriched by sympathetic strings—thin strings that vibrate whenever the main ones are played.
A Glimpse into History
The sitar’s roots can be traced back over 700 years. During the Mughal period (16th–17th century), the instrument gained prestige and refinement. Over time, legendary musicians such as Ravi Shankar brought the sitar to the global stage, collaborating even with Western rock icons like George Harrison of The Beatles.
Guiding Question 1: Why do you think Western musicians were fascinated with the sound of the sitar in the 1960s?
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Because the sitar’s resonant and exotic sound was very different from Western instruments, adding a mystical and unique quality to rock and pop music.Structure and Features
- Body: Made of seasoned gourd with a wooden neck.
- Strings: Usually 6–7 main strings plus 12–13 sympathetic strings.
- Frets: Movable to allow adjustment of scales.
- Bridge: Curved to produce buzzing resonance (called jawari).
The mizrab (a small wire plectrum worn on the finger) is used for plucking.
Guiding Question 2: Why does the sitar have sympathetic strings, unlike a guitar?
Show Answer
The sympathetic strings vibrate automatically when other strings are plucked, producing a rich, echoing resonance unique to Indian classical music.Playing Technique
Sitar players use both melody and drone strings, creating a layered texture. They slide fingers along frets to bend notes, producing meend (gliding sounds) that imitate the human voice.
Cultural Significance
The sitar is not just a musical instrument—it’s often linked to Hindu spirituality. In traditional performances, it sets a meditative mood, guiding listeners into contemplation.
Part 2: The Japanese Koto
If the sitar represents India’s spiritual sound, the koto represents Japan’s elegance and refinement.
Origins
The koto originally came from China (guzheng) but entered Japan during the Nara period (8th century). Over centuries, it evolved into a 13-string zither made of paulownia wood.
Structure
- Body: A long wooden frame.
- Strings: 13 silk (now nylon) strings.
- Bridges (ji): Movable, allowing flexible tuning.
- Picks (tsume): Small picks worn on three fingers to pluck strings.
Playing Technique
Players use plucking, bending, sliding, and striking to create expressive melodies. Unlike Western pianos, the koto requires frequent retuning depending on the song.
Guiding Question 3: Why do you think the koto uses movable bridges instead of fixed frets like a guitar?
Show Answer
Because movable bridges allow flexible tuning, making the koto adaptable to different musical styles and pieces.Repertoire and Role in Culture
- Court music (gagaku)
- Chamber ensembles (sankyoku)
- Modern pop and fusion
It often symbolizes grace and refinement, appearing in tea ceremonies, festivals, and traditional theater.
Famous Players: Michio Miyagi (composer of “Haru no Umi”), Tadao Sawai.
Part 3: Indonesian Gamelan
Now we move from stringed instruments to an ensemble: the gamelan of Indonesia.
What is Gamelan?
A gamelan is not a single instrument but a group of instruments, including metallophones, gongs, drums, and flutes.
- Metallophones (e.g., saron, gender)
- Gongs (gong ageng, kempul)
- Drums (kendhang)
- Flutes (suling)
Tuning
- Slendro – 5 notes per octave
- Pelog – 7 notes per octave
Unlike Western equal temperament, gamelan tuning is unique per set—two gamelans may not sound identical.
Guiding Question 4: Why can’t gamelan instruments from different villages always play together?
Show Answer
Because each gamelan set has its own tuning system, making them slightly different from one another.Cultural Significance
Gamelan is central in religious ceremonies, shadow puppetry (wayang kulit), and dance dramas (wayang wong). It represents community cooperation, since no single instrument dominates.
Global Influence
Western composers like Claude Debussy and John Cage were inspired by gamelan rhythms, bringing its influence into modern classical and experimental music.
Part 4: Comparing the Three
| Instrument | Origin | Type | Key Features | Cultural Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sitar | India | Stringed | Sympathetic strings, movable frets | Spiritual and classical music |
| Koto | Japan | Stringed | 13 strings, movable bridges | Elegance, refinement, ceremonies |
| Gamelan | Indonesia | Ensemble | Gongs, metallophones, drums | Rituals, theater, community |
Guiding Question 5: What do these three traditions teach us about the role of music in Asia?
Show Answer
They show that music is not just entertainment—it is spiritual, cultural, and communal, reflecting the identity of each nation.Real-Life Applications
- Construction & Design: Resonance and vibration (from sitar and koto) inform acoustics and architecture.
- Sports & Teamwork: Gamelan’s cooperative playing mirrors team coordination.
- Navigation & Culture: Ritual sound signals are akin to alarms and communication cues.
Worked Examples
- Identifying Instrument Features
Which Asian instrument has sympathetic strings and what purpose do they serve?Show Answer
The Indian Sitar has 12–13 sympathetic strings. They vibrate automatically when main strings are played, adding a rich, echoing resonance. - Movable Parts
Why does the koto use movable bridges (ji) instead of fixed frets?Show Answer
Movable bridges allow players to retune strings easily for different scales and songs, giving flexibility. - Ensemble Playing
What makes gamelan music different from Western orchestras?Show Answer
Gamelan ensembles are not standardized. Each set is uniquely tuned, so instruments from different groups may not blend. Unlike orchestras, gamelan emphasizes community cooperation over individual solos. - Cultural Significance
Why is the sitar often linked to spirituality in India?Show Answer
The sitar’s meditative sound is used in religious and classical performances, guiding listeners toward reflection and spiritual focus. - Modern Influence
How has gamelan music influenced Western composers?Show Answer
Composers like Debussy and John Cage were inspired by gamelan’s layered rhythms and unique tuning, influencing impressionist and experimental music.
Now You Try
- Instrument Match
Match each instrument to its country:- Sitar
- Koto
- Gamelan
Show Answer
1. India – Sitar; 2. Japan – Koto; 3. Indonesia – Gamelan. - Sound Quality
Which of the three produces sound by plucking strings with picks?Show Answer
The Japanese Koto. It uses tsume picks on thumb, index, and middle fingers. - Group vs Solo
Which instrument is usually played in an ensemble rather than as a solo?Show Answer
The Indonesian Gamelan. - Symbolism
Which instrument symbolizes refinement and elegance in its culture?Show Answer
The Japanese Koto. - Musical Techniques
Which instrument uses gliding tones (meend) to imitate the human voice?Show Answer
The Indian Sitar.
- Which instrument is played with a mizrab?
Show Answer
The Indian Sitar. The mizrab is a wire plectrum worn on the finger. - The Japanese __________ is a 13-string zither played with finger picks called tsume.
Show Answer
Koto. - Which country is home to Gamelan ensembles?
Show Answer
Indonesia. - True or False: The sitar has only 6 main strings and no sympathetic strings.
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False. The sitar has 6–7 main strings plus 12–13 sympathetic strings. - Match the instrument with its feature: Sitar, Koto, Gamelan — (a) Movable bridges, (b) Sympathetic strings, (c) Unique tuning systems.
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Sitar → (b); Koto → (a); Gamelan → (c). - What do gamelan ensembles symbolize in Indonesian society?
Show Answer
Community cooperation and spiritual unity. No single instrument dominates. - Why is the koto associated with elegance and refinement in Japan?
Show Answer
Because it was historically played in court music, tea ceremonies, and cultural rituals. - If you had to choose one instrument for a modern pop fusion song, which is easiest to integrate and why?
Show Answer
Likely the sitar or koto, as they are solo melodic instruments; gamelan usually requires a full ensemble. - What is one major difference between the sitar and the koto?
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Sitar uses sympathetic strings and movable frets; koto has movable bridges and no sympathetic strings. - Which would you most like to try playing, and what challenges would you face?
Show Answer
Answers may vary (e.g., Gamelan: keeping rhythm in a group).
- Which instrument became globally famous through Ravi Shankar?
- Koto
- Sitar
- Gamelan
Show Answer
b) Sitar - What is the plectrum used in playing the sitar?
Show Answer
Mizrab - True or False: The koto originally came from Korea before it was adopted in Japan.
Show Answer
False. It came from China (guzheng). - Fill in the Blank: The tuning systems used in gamelan are __________ and __________.
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Slendro and Pelog. - Match the country with the instrument: India, Japan, Indonesia → (a) Koto, (b) Sitar, (c) Gamelan.
Show Answer
India → Sitar; Japan → Koto; Indonesia → Gamelan. - Why are gamelan instruments from different villages not always interchangeable?
Show Answer
Each set has a unique tuning system. - Which instrument is often played during Japanese tea ceremonies?
- Gamelan
- Sitar
- Koto
Show Answer
c) Koto - How does the sitar imitate the human voice in performance?
Show Answer
By using meend (sliding/gliding notes) on frets. - What instrument is played using tsume picks?
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The Japanese Koto. - True or False: Gamelan music is always performed solo.
Show Answer
False. It is an ensemble tradition. - Fill in the Blank: The largest gong in a gamelan ensemble is called the __________.
Show Answer
Gong Ageng. - Which best describes the koto’s body?
- Long wooden frame with strings and movable bridges
- Round gourd resonator with frets
- Collection of metallophones and gongs
Show Answer
a) Long wooden frame with strings and movable bridges. - Explain how gamelan music reflects community values in Indonesia.
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Gamelan requires cooperation; no single instrument dominates, symbolizing unity and balance. - Which instrument influenced Western composers like Claude Debussy?
Show Answer
The Gamelan. - Which would be most difficult to learn and why? (Explain briefly.)
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Answers may vary (e.g., Gamelan, due to unique tuning and ensemble coordination).
- Research Project: Find a modern musician who uses the sitar, koto, or gamelan. Prepare a 1-page report on how they blend tradition with modern sound.
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Example: Anoushka Shankar (sitar) blends Indian classical with electronic and jazz. Other valid examples accepted with research. - Instrument Design: Sketch your own “fusion instrument” combining features of the sitar, koto, and gamelan. Label parts and explain play technique.
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Include strings from sitar, bridges from koto, and gong/metallophone elements from gamelan. - Cultural Connection: Interview a family/community elder about Filipino traditional instruments and compare with today’s lesson.
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Example: Kulintang resembles gamelan as an ensemble of gongs; note similarities/differences. - Creative Writing: Write a poem/story inspired by the sound of one instrument (sitar/koto/gamelan).
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Sitar → mysticism; Koto → refinement; Gamelan → community/ritual. - Performance Challenge: Using everyday objects, recreate sound qualities of one instrument and demonstrate.
Show Answer
Rubber bands on a box → sitar/koto; pots/pans → gamelan percussion.
3-2-1 Response (Notebook Task):
- 3 things you learned about the sitar, koto, and gamelan.
- 2 connections you can make between these instruments and Filipino culture.
- 1 question you still have about Asian traditional music.
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