Pronounced ("ghen-dair"), is a tuned metallophone from Bali, Indonesia. The
"gender" is played with wooden mallets, one in each hand, and struck to produce
sound. Once the note is struck and sounds, it is then immediately muffled by the
palm of that same hand so as not to overlap pitches that follow. Played in a group
of four, the genders play interweaving rhythms forming a hocket to create the
melody and rhythmic cycles in the ensemble. This music is interwoven with religious
and social ceremonies, and specifically accompanies the Balinese' shadow puppet
theater ("Gender Wayang"), probably our first form of cinema.
The WORLD BEATS video features live,
costumed performances of ancient, ethnic, percussive traditions. Aaron Plunkett
puts it all together in this fascinating 33 minute program. SEE
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