-

Making a gendang involves several natural materials such as cow, buffalo or goat skin for the membrane, rattan for the binding, and jackfruit wood as the main body. A medium-sized jackfruit stick measuring about 60 cm in length is pierced in the middle, creating a hollow space to produce sound resonance. This piercing process is done by holding the jackfruit stick upright and then carefully making a hole in the middle to ensure a balanced cavity.

Once the cavity is formed, the log is placed in a special smokehouse. This smoking process increases the compression and durability of the wood to ensure it lasts longer. The animal skin is clamped to one end of the gendang’s opening before the skin dries so that it fits properly. Rattan circles are used to tie the animal skin tightly, and several wooden stakes are inserted between the neck and the hoop to ensure that the skin remains taut and does not easily sag.

Once this process is complete, the gendang is again dried in a smokehouse to give the skin and wood extra durability. The gendang is then hammered to produce a rich and energetic sound, with striking patterns that vary according to the rhythms specific to each region.

Here's how to play the Gendang;

1. Holding the Gendang:

● Gendang can be placed on the floor or a small table within easy reach of the player in a cross-legged position to help the musician control the sound and produce a clear tone.

2. Basic Striking Techniques:

● Bass is performed with the palm of the hand flat on the center of the drum surface. This sound produced is a low tone (bass) and buzzing. This is important for producing basic rhythm.

● Tone is performed using the fingers to hit the edge of the gendang surface. This sound produced is higher and sharper than the palm.

● Slap is performed by slapping the rim or edge of the gendang. This produces a sharp sound to indicate the rhythm.

3. Playing Rhythm Patterns:

● Most drumming relies on a repeating rhythmic pattern that forms the basis of the melody. There are repeating 4-beat or 8-beat patterns. Practicing these patterns helps master technique and improve fluency in playing.

4. Using Both Hands:

● Playing gendang usually requires the use of both hands to create a layered and complex rhythm. The dominant hand may be used for the main beat, while the other hand adds variation or fills in the rhythm.

-