DRUMMERS’ COSTUME 

In the past, gendang Pahang drummers were very much required in silat and its arts.  So did their attire as it also displayed the arts of silat.  Hence when drumming, the drummer wore ethically (including covering arms and legs).  The drummer was also encouraged to wear a headgear. In Pahang, Gendang Pahang artists wore the Baju Melayu berdagang luar and berdagang dalam, and a songkok.  At present, the performers wear a suit of Malay dress, the Baju Melayu, with a songkok or headgear.

EQUIPMENT OF GENDANG PAHANG

By tradition, gendang Pahang is played with three basic instruments: the main drum, the secondary drum and the gong or tetawak. The main and secondary drums are oval and hollow which produce exclusive sounds. Some describe it a long drum or gendang campak. 

To make these drums, a few oval tube-like wood, ranging between 20 and 40 centimeters long are used. The main drum is made larger than the secondary. While the center line inside is adjusted to the length of the wood.  A goat or deer hide is placed at the end of the drum and the other, either cow or goat hide. 

Gendang Pahang is also known as Gendang Melela as it is tapped with a hand on one side, while the other, with wood or rattan. The gong or tetawak is an idiophone iron musical instrument popular in South and Southeast Asia.  Gongs also are extensively used in Malay dances, the gamelan, puppetry show and the silat (Malay martial arts).

GENDANG PAHANG COMPONENTS 

Baloh 

The most important instrument in gendang Pahang is a baloh, a piece of barrel shaped wood with a hole drilled in the middle. Among the wood used to make it are tutur, jackfruit or bangkung trees. The two holes at the end of the log are closed using cow or deer hides, stretched, tied strongly and neatly. The baloh produces various tones and thumps when tapped with wood or hand. When performing, the drummers beat the smaller parts or surfaces (of the hide) with one hand, and large ones with canes, sticks or specially- shaped horns. 

 Cowhide for Drums 

A piece of strong water-resistant (not leaking) cowhide is used to make the head of the drum. This tough and more durable cowhide is obtained from a female cow which has birthed six calves.  Skinning is done carefully for a good hide which will not leak. The skin is then preserved, rubbed with salt and turmeric. Then, it is stretched and dried. 

In ancient times, buck hide was used for the head of the main drum while a male goat hide was the head of the secondary drum.  Due to the prohibition of obtaining deer (protected by the Malaysian Wildlife Department, Perhilitan), cowhide is used for the head of the drums instead.   Goat hide is for the small head of the main and secondary drums since thinner hide produces higher pitched sounds. More durable and stretchable hide is believed obtainable from local goats.   

Sergeh

Sergeh, a Pahang dialect word, is a hide stretcher.  In the old days, it was made from rattan but at present it is made from a more durable and easier-to-shape fiber. The stretchers, 100-feet long, were made of a type of rattan called rotan seni or rotan batu puteh.   Lately, rattan is hard to get, instead a Germany imported nylon rope is used.  

Gong/tetawak 

The gong family in Malaysia consists of those having mounds or buttons, made of copper, tin or iron. They are also produced in various shapes and sizes, with different pitches and timbres. 

Beats of Gendang Pahang 

There are ten drum beats:  segeh, balun, sambar, gerpak, tala, bertala, kode, dayung, sendayung and galang ganjur.  

Sergeh 

Segeh is a term taken from the type of rattan to make the hide stretcher.  Having nine types of tunes and beats, it is played in a soft melody with one beat at a time. 

Balun 

Balun, in Pahang accent, means to hit hard. There are seven hard beats on the batter and bottom heads of the drum.

Sambar

Very fast and quick struck double beats.   

Gerpak 

Simultaneous beats on the batter and bottom heads, hit with one’s palms. 

Tala 

Tala is fast and sharp beats to produce even toned sound

Betala 

Betala means thumping constantly, alternating or consecutively. The sounds of the beats are a bit irregular and unsynchronized but remain in the tempo. 

Kode 

Kode is striking fast to end the drumming.  

Dayung

Dayung means paddling a boat or a canoe.  These beats resemble the rowing of a boat. 

Sendayung

Sendayung is an echoing sound.  The sound of the beats are undulating and echoing. 

Galang 

Galang means to obstruct.   Hence these beats do not sound melodious.  Rather, they sound uncoordinated and graceless.