The Brief History of Indonesian music

Review by : Yuli SE., MM

Do you like to listening Indonesian music? Music is the part of a culture. Furthermore, Indonesian music is all the music that develops in this this country which reflects the characteristics of Indonesia, both in terms of language and melodic style.Can not be denied the music in Indonesia has been developed, have you known how it is developed? It is developed through the rather long journey, here would like to give the information about the history of Indonesian music .

Pre-historic period

The history was started from the prehistoric era between the year 2500 and 1500 BC. The movement from Central Asia to Southeast Asia brought the bamboo culture and lading processing techniques. Especially in Annam (South China) they introduced a kind of rhyme song where the boys and girls sang in reply. They used a blown instrument called Khen consisting of 6 bamboo sticks blown together in groups D (3 tones). This musical instrument is also known in China and Borneo with the name Kledi.

A number of different bamboo stems are planted on the ground. The wind blows produces the beautiful sound that also exists in Bali up to now. Other bamboo musical instruments such as flute and angklung have experienced a process of development until today.

The period when Hindus-Buddhist came to Java

The history of Indonesian music continued when Hindus came to Java, they found a variety of musical instruments. In the reliefs on Borobudur there are local musical instruments or musical instruments imported from India such as drums, including drums from the ground with the skin on one side only, kledi, flute, angklung, blown instrument (some hobo), xylofon (half gambang, half calung ), sapeq, sitar and harp with 10 strings, bronze bells in various sizes, gongs, sarons, bonangs. It is undeniable that this instrument was first played according to Indian custom. However, some other said this was originated from Gamelan.

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Indonesian Music in 80’s

Indonesian music in 80’s Indonesian music dominated by pop-based songs that the rhyme is very slow. It was appeared fromthe names of productive songwriters in this era such as Rinto Harahap, Pance Pondaaq, A Ryanto, Obbie Messakh and others -other. Some names of Indonesia singers in this era such as Nia Daniaty, Betharia Sonatha, Ratih Purwasih even called as the sad song specialist.

For ballad song, there were Ebiet G Ade and Franky and Jane. Both of their albums were salable in that time. However, in the midst Indonesian music that dominated by whiny songs, there were some musicians who created the anti-mainstream song such as Fariz RM, Vina Panduwinata, Gombolh and others. Their music was categorized as a creative pop.

There were also some rock musicians who had succeeded, such as Ikang Fauzy, Nicky Astria, Gito Rollies and some of rock bands like God Bless and others. In the late 80s into the early 90s there were also some pretty famous rock bands like Dewa 19, Slank, Boomerang, Voodoo and many more. Dangdut, as the original Indonesian music also started to be popular through some singers such as Rhoma Irama, Elvie Sukaesih, Heti Koes ending and many others.

90’s Indonesian Music

The history of Indonesian music continued when some Indonesian musicians began to imitate Malay style and create a new trend that was called “POP ROCK”. Some singers like Deddy Dores, Nike Ardilla, Inka Christy and others start to be famous. But after Nike Ardilla died and no new innovations from Malaysian musicians, this type of music was quickly made bored.

Some new names also made a creation in the recording world of Indonesia. There are Kahitna, Java jive, Krisdayanti, Jingga and others. Several record labels later released a compilation album from several music groups that took an alternate stream and turned out to be selling well. Music producers were happy that they can earn huge profits. Finally, compilation albums became the trend of that time. Some names that successfully lifted from this trend were Rice, Chocolate, Water, Wong, and many more.

2000’s Music – Today

In 2000’s era, there were many new musicians and singers that started to make a stage through the television program. There were also many talent search event that haunts the professional singer through the fair selection such as Akademi Fantasi, Indonesian Idol, KDI, and so on. Some famous band that become popular in 2000’s such as Sheila on Seven, Ada Band, Kerispatih, Gigi, Dewa 19 with the new formation, D’massive, etc.

And Indonesian Music today grows into more various due to the influence of western culture, Korean, and even India. However, the quality of Indonesian music has rapidly increased through some of newborn singers.

That was a little story about the history of Indonesian music. In conclusion, there was always the transformation of the music from day to day. The most important is you have to preserve the traditional music to make it saved from the claim of other nations. Hopefully the history of Indonesian music can be useful for you.