Rizki Rahmad, Khairul hatta , Novysa Basri

Organology Of The Traditional Musical Instrument Gerantg In Gayo, Central Aceh Regency

Introduction

Organology of the traditional musical instrument gerantg in gayo, central aceh regency. Explore the organology and playing techniques of the traditional Gerantung musical instrument from Gayo, Central Aceh. Discover how its construction shapes sound and cultural use.

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the organology and playing techniques of the Gerantung, a traditional musical instrument from the Gayo region in Central Aceh Regency. The research addresses the limited number of studies that integrate instrument construction with playing techniques and the resulting sound characteristics. A qualitative approach with an ethnomusicological perspective was employed. Data were collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation involving craftspeople, players, and traditional leaders selected via purposive sampling. Data analysis involved reduction, thematic coding, categorization, and contextual interpretation to identify the relationship between organological aspects and playing techniques. The findings reveal that the construction of the Gerantung encompassing its shape, materials, and manufacturing techniques directly influences the playing techniques employed and determines the resulting sound characteristics. Playing techniques evolved in response to the instrument's structure; thus, they cannot be separated from its organological aspects. Furthermore, the study found that social changes have influenced variations in playing techniques and the instrument's usage within the community's cultural context. This research underscores the importance of an integrative approach to organology one that goes beyond describing the instrument's physical form to explain its interconnections with musical practices and cultural dynamics.

Review

This study, "Organology Of The Traditional Musical Instrument Gerantg In Gayo, Central Aceh Regency," presents a compelling analysis of the Gerantung, a traditional musical instrument, with a commendable focus on integrating its construction with playing techniques and resulting sound characteristics. The research addresses a critical gap in ethnomusicological scholarship by moving beyond mere descriptive organology. Its qualitative approach, informed by an ethnomusicological perspective, appears robust and well-suited for the subject matter. The methodology, encompassing participant observation, in-depth interviews with key stakeholders such as craftspeople and players, and thorough documentation, promises to yield rich and nuanced data essential for understanding the instrument within its cultural context. The findings eloquently articulate the profound interrelationship between the Gerantung's physical attributes and its musical performance. The study effectively demonstrates how the instrument's shape, materials, and manufacturing processes are not isolated factors but directly dictate the playing techniques employed and the distinct sound characteristics produced. This highlights an iterative evolution where performance practices are intrinsically linked to the instrument's structural design, underscoring their inseparability. Furthermore, the research judiciously incorporates the impact of social changes, revealing how these broader societal shifts influence variations in playing techniques and the Gerantung's evolving role and usage within the Gayo community, adding a valuable layer of socio-cultural analysis. Overall, this research makes a significant contribution to the field of ethnomusicology by championing an integrative organological approach. It successfully illustrates that understanding a musical instrument requires going beyond its physical form to explore its deep connections with musical practices and the dynamic cultural landscape in which it exists. By providing a detailed case study of the Gerantung, this work not only preserves crucial knowledge about a specific traditional instrument but also offers a valuable conceptual framework for future studies on musical instruments globally, enriching our collective understanding of material culture and musical heritage.

Full Text

Comments

You need to be logged in to post a comment.