Music of Minang is a traditional and modern type of Indonesian music that has grown and developed within the Minangkabau culture. Music is usually played using instruments such as talempong, saluang, Minang rabab, serunai, rebana, aguang (gong), gandang, gambus, and violin. However, for traditional events like weddings, Islamic rebana or gambus are not used.

Looking back, the origins of Minang music are connected to native folk music, including songs and talempong gong music. Dendang is a style of vocal music that can be accompanied by various forms of Minangkabau oral literature, such as kaba (stories), pantun, and salawat dulang. Minang music is also played to support dances like the Pasambahan dance, the Payung dance, and the Piring dance.

Qasidah began when Islam spread to the region from Arabic, Gujarati, and Persian influences. It was originally based on reading and singing syair poetry. At first, the poetry was sung from gurindam and later used to accompany dances.

In the late 19th century, modern Minang music appeared, when traditional talempong gong style was included in the music of Minang pop songs. Around 1955, contemporary Minang popular music was created, influenced by several Western music styles.

Traditional Minang music

Traditional Minang music has roots in Malay music and includes the Minang style called rent and traditional instruments. These instruments are: saluang, agung (gong), gondang, rebana, serunai, talempong, Minang rabab, gambus, and bansi. However, during traditional events like weddings, Islamic rebana or gambus are not used.

Minang music began with pre-Islamic folk traditions, including songs, dances, and Talempong gong ensembles. These ensembles are similar to the Javanese Gamelan.

Minang music is played to support dances such as the Pasambahan dance, Payung dance, and Piring dance, which are unique to the Minangkabau people.

Dendang is a vocal music style that developed in Minangkabau society. It is performed with the saluang and other instruments. Dendang accompanies kaba, which are oral stories told or sung by a kaba master. These stories are often accompanied by the sound of a rebab (or matchsticks for sijobang stories). Dendang also supports other oral traditions like pantun and salawat dulang, as well as some dances.

Another influence came from qasidah, a form of religious poetry that spread with Islam in the 16th century, especially in West Sumatra. Qasidah originally involved reciting syair poetry and gurindam poetry. Over time, it was used to accompany dances. The instruments used were limited to percussion made from bamboo, wood, stone, and tambourines.

In the late 1800s, after the Suez Canal opened, Arabs and Egyptians migrated to the Dutch East Indies between 1870 and 1888. They brought gambus instruments and played Arabic music. This influenced local traditions, blending gurindam poetry with instruments like the gong, saluang, serunai, tambourine, talempong, and violin.

Modern Minang music. Minang pop

Modern Minang pop music began in the late 1800s. At that time, traditional Talempong gong ensembles added Minang pop songs to their performances. This style of music is very different from its earlier form, Qasidah, because it evolved from only singing Gurindam poetry to becoming music used for entertainment and dance.

Contemporary Minang music started around 1955 with Orkes Gumarang. During the 1950s and 1960s, Minang pop was created by composers like Ibenzani Usman and Yusaf Rahman, songwriter Syahrul Tarun Yusuf, and others. It was performed by groups such as Orkes Kumbang Tjari, led by Nuskan Sjarif and Elly Kasim, and singers like Oslan Husein, Tiar Ramon, Fetty, Nurseha, and Zaenal Combo. This music was influenced by Latin styles, including rhythms similar to rumba, cha-cha-cha, and mambo. European instruments such as the accordion, violin, guitar, piano, bass, drums, bongo, saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, flute, and maracas were also used in this music. Modern Minang music helped create Dangdut music alongside Malay music.

In the 1970s, a traditional music style called Gamad emerged. It used Minang-style vocals and Portuguese instruments. Albums by Yan Juneid Sarunai Aceh and Bunga Tanjuang are known as examples of reviving Minang music, which had previously been dominated by Western and Indonesian songs. Other important figures included Rustam Raschani and Upik Saunang.

Two famous Minang pop musicians from the 1970s, Adjis Sutan Sati and Sawir Sutan Mudo, focused only on traditional Dendang singing style without mixing it with other music styles like Malay, Arabic, Indian, or Western music.

Minang-language songs from the 20th to 21st centuries have been influenced by many music styles. These include:
(1) Pop music, created by songwriters like Agusli Taher and B. Andoeska, and performed by artists such as Alkawi, Asben, Nedi Gampo, Zalmon, Ajo Buset, Alwi Oslan, Amelda Lesty, An Roys, Asman, Beniqno, Betharia Sonatha, Boy Shandy, Eddy Silitonga, Efrinon, Elda, Fauzana, Hetty Koes Endang, Irni Yusnita, Iyeth Bustami, Jhon Kinawa, Joni Linggo, Kardi Tanjung, Kintani, Lily Syarif, Ocha Oktavia, Ratu Sikumbang, Rayola, Ria Amelia, Rina Fhasma, Rosinda YS, Roza, Seruni Pilang, Upiak Isil, Vanny Vabiola, Vivied Yuza, Waty Tanjung, Wirdaningsih, Yan Bastian, Yenny Puspita, and Carano's Band.
(2) Dangdut music, including regional styles like dendang saluang dangdut (Cimpago group with Erri Tamala and Mel Rah Cani, Adjis Sutan Sati, Asben, Ellyzamiarti, Gafur Syah, Misramolai, Nisya Laila, Sawir Sutan Mudo, Upik Malay, Yenny Mustika) and common dangdut (artists like Ujang Virgo, Amriz Arifin, Beniqno, Daniel Saniara, Devi Rose, Dhinda Rozi, Fani Sun, Leni Alvin, Liza Tania, Ralmi Muas, Riri Anjeli, Sahar Panker, Tety Liany).
(3) Reggae, performed by Melati, Upik Saunang, and Yan Juneid.
(4) Pop rock, rock-n-roll, and rock, including Andra Respati, Chika Andriani, Fabian, Elsa Pitaloka, Eno Viola, Ipank, Ovhi Firsty, Rayola, Sultan Tanjung, Thomas Arya.
(5) Disco, dance-pop, and electronic dance music similar to Indonesian Funkot, performed by Chika Andriani, Elda, Fani Sun, Jushia, Liza Tania, Misramolai, Mita Viose, Novi Barat, Ratu Sikumbang, Regina, Ria Amelia, Riri Anjeli, Uria Novita, Yenny Mustika, and the duet Ririn Trichani & Asnaria Jambak.

Today, two trends in Minang music coexist: (1) ethnic pop, which uses traditional Minang elements (such as the rabab instrument in songs by Amelda Lesty and Joni Linggo), and (2) music that follows national and international standards but keeps Minangkabau lyrics, such as sentimental ballads.

Traditional musical instruments

Saluang is a traditional musical instrument from the Minangkabau people of West Sumatra. It is a woodwind instrument made from thin bamboo or gutters. The Minangkabau believe that gutters from clothespins or those found floating in rivers are the best materials for making saluang.

This instrument is similar to a flute but has only four holes. Saluang is about 40–60 cm long and 3–4 cm in diameter. It is also used to make lemang, a traditional sticky rice cake. The saluang produces sound when air is blown into it from the edge or the top opening. The air causes the inside walls of the saluang to vibrate, creating sound. The instrument has four holes, which allow it to produce specific musical notes, a feature that helps identify it.

A famous saluang player named Idris Sutan Sati played with a singer named Syamsimar. Skilled players can blow and inhale at the same time, allowing them to play the entire song without stopping. This technique, called angok elimination, requires special training. The sound of the saluang is described as dark, mysterious, and gothic. Each village in Minangkabau has its own way of playing the saluang, such as styles from Singgalang, Pariaman, Solok Salayo, Koto Tuo, Suayan, and Pauah.

The Singgalang style is considered difficult for beginners and is often played at the start of a song. The Ratok Solok style from Solok is known for its sad tone. A style from Payakumbuah, called Saluang Sirompak, has a magical sound and is used in rituals. Basirompak is a ritual involving a saluang sirompak player, a shaman, and a craftsman who uses a top made from a human skull. This ritual is performed to influence someone’s thoughts using supernatural powers.

Saluang is played during events like weddings and house-building ceremonies. It is often performed after the Isha prayer and continues until near dawn. Sometimes, the music includes messages, satire, or subtle comments about life and memories.

Another instrument, the Bansi or Suling Minang, has seven holes and is shorter than the saluang. It can play both traditional and modern songs because it has a standard musical scale. Bansi is made from thin bamboo or sariak, a type of thin bamboo. It is harder to play due to its size and the difficulty of blowing.

A different instrument is made from rice stalks. A tongue is attached to one end, and when blown, it creates a gap that produces sound. Coconut leaves are wrapped around the ends to shape the instrument, giving it a shrill tone. A modern version of this instrument uses plastic and cardboard instead of natural materials.

The chrysanthemum, also called Shehnai, is a musical instrument from Indian Kashmir. It is made from two unequal bamboo pieces, with four tone holes that create a melodic sound. It is rarely used because it is hard to make and its sound is not commonly used.

Another instrument is made from a buffalo horn. It is flat at both ends and has no holes, producing only a single note. In the past, it was used to signal communities, such as at sunrise or sunset, or to announce messages from village leaders. Large ships and Arab, European, and steam train crews also used similar instruments.

Talempong, called bonang in Java, is a small flat gong made of brass, wood, or stone. It is played with a wooden mallet and used to accompany dances. The sound starts with the note Do and ends with Si. It is played similarly to a marimba or kempul, using both hands.

Minang rabab, similar to the Arabic rebab, has a sound membrane under the bridge, creating a unique, hoarse tone. It is made from coconut shells.

In Minang, the word for gong is aguang. It is used in music for specific beats, such as the first, third, or closing stroke. Smaller gongs are used for the second and fourth strokes.

The Minang word for kendang drum is gandang. It is played with the smaller side on the left and the larger side on the right. The way it is struck varies by region, depending on the type of music. Gandang Tasa is a traditional drumming style popular in Padang Pariaman.

The violin became a traditional Minang instrument with modifications, such as the rabala and rabab darek. Rabab Pesisir Selatan, played by Hasan Basri, is a famous style in West Sumatra.