Nunggak semi Al Suwardi: organology and perspective of harmonic planet music creation

This article examines the artistry of a composer named Aloysius Suwardi. This composer, who grew up in the Javanese gamelan music tradition, has produced musical compositions and created musical instruments as a means/medium to express it on the journey of his creativity. His works have been staged in various forums or world music festivals. The musical instruments he has created fill the laboratory spaces to create his musical compositions. Two musical ensembles that have been created are Gamelan Genta and Gamelan Planet Harmonic. These two musical instruments complement the many personal musical instruments he has created, such as the vibrander, tering, gerendang, and other musical instruments. Regarding the two ensembles, this article examines the aspects of the creation process. For example, how did Al Suwardi choose the materials used, how to make them, to how he determined the barrel system for these tools. In terms of compositing, this article examines how Al Suwardi started his work, his models of creation, and how he composes his works until they are declared final. The gragas and dridis creeds and Nunggak Semi's concept are the main topics in this composition creation model. Both creeds and concepts have ushered in the landscape of making Al Suwardi's musical compositions expand, from the gamelan tradition to more contemporary models of music creation

Beyond Telling the Mind’s Story and Minding the Story: Tracing Asonogun Music Ancestry in Esan, Edo State, Nigeria

This article examines the evolutionary tendencies - the origin of Asonogun music genre of the Esan. This has become necessary in the light of earlier efforts which appear to be speculative. The focus of this present study is not to determine the age of this musical practice but to clear the seeming ambiguities peddled by previous researchers who believe that it is a spinoff of the music used in the worship of the god of iron in Esan. Of the thirty-five kingdoms in Esan, data was drawn from twenty towns that were adjudged to be still consistent in the performance of this music. Five major musical ensembles were later further investigated, one each from the five local government areas in eliciting data for this study. The study revealed that Asonogun is simply a recreational type of music and dance performed by both male and female participants whose origin has nothing to do with the worship of the god of iron. The study arrived at key conclusions that in this current era of globalisation, it is paramount that in-depth research is conducted before making public any findings because christening a social/ recreational musical genre fetish could generate apathy for the genre. This in turn could restrict audience participation and lead to the annihilation of the musical practice.. Keywords: Asonogun, Igbabonelimin, Igbaboasono, Ikhien

PENGGUNAAN APLIKASI BASIC GUITAR CHORDS 3D PADA PEMBELAJARAN SENI BUDAYA (MUSIK) DI KELAS VII SMP NEGERI 3 KECAMATAN HARAU

This study aims to describe the activities of Culture and Arts (music) teachers in grade VII of SMP Negeri 3 Harau District, Lima Puluh Kota Regency in implementing music instruction using the Basic Guitar Chords 3D application for learning guitar at school. The use of this guitar playing application provides an opportunity for students to learn guitar playing virtually with a different learning atmosphere from how guitar learning was theoretically and practically conducted before.This study uses references to results from relevant research and several theoretical studies especially those related to learning and instruction, learning methods, guitar learning through application, and Culture and Arts (music) instruction in junior high school.This is a qualitative research with a descriptive analysis approach. The object of research was teachers’ activities in implementing music instruction in grade VII of SMP Negeri 3 Harau. The learning observed involves learning guitar under the topic of playing a string instrument in a musical ensemble. The research instruments used were observation notes, interview notes, and document studies. The results of the study explain that learning guitar using the Basic Guitar Chords 3D application can create new experiences for students in learning music using the android application. However, due to the fact that the use of this application coincides with learning musical ensembles under the Basic Competence of playing simple music, this application conceptually does not support learning musical ensembles by using actual musical instruments.However, the teachers’ thought to explain that playing music can be done through application surely gives a point, and it can be developed by the teachers in learning music at school.Keywords: Android application, guitar, learning, instruction, ensemble

Syncphonia: Understanding the value of participatory design in developing music technology to support musical ensembles that use notation

The benefits of ensemble performance are well recognized; notation supports group performance, but cuts in music education and changing musical cultures mean that notation is increasingly perceived as a barrier to entry. In an extended participatory design (PD) project, we co-designed and developed a software system for networked notation called Syncphonia with the aim of enhancing access to and experience of notation-based ensemble performance. In previous work, our formal evaluation and informal observations and feedback revealed a wide range of benefits. In this article, we are concerned with articulating the knowledge generated and insights gained through this extended PD process. To do so, we employ a framework for systematic reflection that has been designed to support investigation into the tacit knowledge generated in participatory design. Through this method, we focus inward and share three insights into the value of networked notation in contemporary musical cultures; we also look outward and articulate five approaches to PD with musical ensembles that might benefit others adopting this rich research method. A pluralistic and inclusive vision of notation is espoused and speculation is submitted that a dynamic, networked notation might ameliorate the boundaries between composing, improvising and performing to the benefit of all three.