Composing for Javanese Gendèr Barung

The Javanese gendèr barung is a 14-keyed bronze metallophone with resonators played with two padded. At the heart of understanding how to compose for the gendèr barung is the knowledge of how the keys are damped for this instrument. Traditionally, a key is damped at the same time or shortly after a new key is played. Without damping, the sounds of the keys quickly blur into one another.

Each of the following studies focusses on a particular aspect of playing/damping technique, looking to extend the possibilities of what is considered playable.