Music Lessons

We've been to a few performances (about which more in another post), all of which included the music teacher whose house we're staying in. I've had a lesson on the balinese drum, and two lessons on the Ugal, which is one of the instruments in the gamelan.

Here I am explaining what I learned on the drum. The tones don't come out particularly well on the video (especially the high tone) but it gives the general idea. (You can also see the new shirt I bought for $3!)

Ok. I said I was a beginner =) If you play that approximately 3 times faster, it's actually the first part of an accompanyment to a gamelan piece called Gilak Bebarongan, which I learned 3 more of the melodic parts for on the Ugal.

Here is what the melody sounds like...

There's also an ornamented accompanyment that I learned. In this video, my teacher is playing the "onbeat" version of the accompanyment while I practice (almost successfully) the "offbeat" version.

I transcribed all three parts, and here's a screen shot of about the first quarter...

Finally, here is a rehersal of a music group led by the teacher's son (taking place in our homestay, which was cool)...

Incidentally, the teacher's son (whose name I don't think I ever caught) is going to be performing the US premiere of Evan Ziporyn's new opera, A House in Bali, along with Bang on a Can, at Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley on Sept 26th and 27th. Here's the info: http://bangonacan.org/events/upcoming

So you should go and check it out! He's really friendly, and a great musician!