rebab
A bowed instrument.
Javanese gamelan music often begin with a rebab prelude.
Performance
In gamelan ensembles, the rebab is played by adding grace notes to the basic melody.
Let’s compare with or without grace notes in the tune “Pangkur”
Normally it is played with many instruments, but in this VTR it is played only with a genderbarung.
⬇️Without grace notes
⬇️With grace notes
The rebab is played slightly ahead of the basic melody to foretell the appearance of the basic melody to other players and listeners.
If the kendhang drum is the leader of tempo, the rebab is the leader of melody.
“Pangkur” with regular gamelan ensemble.
Restringing rebab
It looks like there are two strings, but there is actually one string.
Chaging the string requires a lot of work.
Holes, closeup
With the pegs removed
From the side
String retainer, closeup
Chansing the rebab string
①Remove the broken string.
②String over the left side
③String over the right side
④Finish!
Preparation for performance
①Place a handkerchief between the strings to soften the tone.
②Rosin a bow
③Tuning
Instrument parts
Origins of musical instrument name
“Rebab” comes from the name of the musical instrument “rebāb” in Arabic. From Arabia to Persia to Indonesia, you can find musical instrument names with regional accents of “rebāb”. All of them are plucked or bowed string instruments with sound bodies corvered with animal hide.
