A kendang, also called gendang, is a drum with two drumheads used by people from the Indonesian Archipelago. It is one of the main instruments in gamelan ensembles, which are musical groups found in Javanese, Sundanese, and Balinese music. The kendang is also used in kulintang ensembles in Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. Different ethnic groups build the kendang in various ways. It is similar to the Indian double-headed mridangam drum.

Overview

Double-sided membrane drums, known as kendang, are commonly found in Maritime Southeast Asia and India. One of the oldest images of kendang can be seen in ancient temples in Indonesia, especially in the ninth-century Borobudur and Prambanan temples.

Among the Javanese, Sundanese, and Balinese, kendang have one side that is larger than the other. The larger, lower-pitched side is usually placed on the right. These drums are often placed on stands horizontally and played by hitting both sides with the hands while sitting on the floor. In groups like the Balinese, Tausug, and Maranao, both sides of the kendang are the same size. These drums are played on one or both sides using a combination of hands and/or sticks.

In Gamelan music, the kendang is smaller than the bedug, which is placed inside a frame and hit with a beater. The bedug is used less frequently. The kendang usually keeps the tempo (laya) while changing the rhythm (irama). It also signals transitions between sections of music and marks the end of a piece (suwuk).

During dance or wayang performances, the kendang player follows the movements of the dancer and communicates these to the other musicians in the ensemble. In West Java (Sundanese), kendang are used to keep the tempo of Gamelan Degung. They are also the main instrument in Jaipongan dances. In a musical style called Rampak Kendang, a group of drummers plays together in harmony.

Among the Makassarese, the Ganrang (kendang) drums hold great importance. They are considered the most sacred musical instruments, similar to gongs in Java. This is shown in local stories, ceremonies, dances like Ganrang Bulo, and martial arts. Local government ceremonies in the region often begin with the sound of a ganrang instead of the usual gong in Java. These drums are usually played alone, with multiple drums creating different patterns that produce syncopated rhythms. These traditions are found across lowland South Sulawesi, where the Bugis people also show similar respect for the Gendrang.

Kendang making

Good kendang instruments are made from the wood of jackfruit, coconut, or cempedak trees. Buffalo hide is used for the bam, which is the lower-pitched surface, while soft goatskin is used for the chang, the higher-pitched surface.

The skin is stretched over Y-shaped strings made of leather or rattan. These strings can be tightened to adjust the pitch of the drumheads. Thinner leather produces a sharper sound.

Accompaniments

In Gamelan Reog, kendhang are used to support the Reog Ponorogo art. The sound of Kendang Reog is unique, with a beat pattern called "dang thak dhak thung glhang." Kendang Reog is the largest type of kendhang in the world today.

In Gamelan Surakarta, four sizes of kendhang are used:

• Kendhang ageng, kendhang gede, or kendhang gendhing is the largest kendhang, with the deepest tone. It is played alone in the "single drum" style for serious or grand musical pieces. It is also played with kendhang ketipung in the "double drum" style for faster, less solemn pieces.
• Kendhang wayang is medium-sized and was traditionally used to accompany wayang performances, though other drums may now be used.
• Kendhang batangan or kendhang ciblon is medium-sized and used for complex or lively rhythms. It is often used in lively sections of a piece. The name "ciblon" comes from a Javanese water-play tradition, where hand shapes create different sounds and rhythms. This style is harder to learn than others.
• Kendhang ketipung is the smallest kendhang and is used with kendhang ageng in the "double drum" style.

In Sundanese Gamelan, a basic set includes three drums:
• Kendang Indung (large drum)
• Kendang Kulanter, two small drums divided into Katipung and Kutiplak.

Sundanese kendhang are categorized based on their role in music:
• Kendang Kiliningan
• Kendang Jaipongan
• Kendang Ketuk Tilu
• Kendang Keurseus
• Kendang Penca
• Kendang Bajidor
• Kendang Sisingaan and others.

Each Sundanese kendhang differs in size, design, and pattern.

In Balinese Gamelan, there are two kendhang:
• Kendang wadon, the "female" drum, with the lowest pitch.
• Kendang lanang, the "male" drum, with the highest pitch.

Ganrang (Makassarese kendang) has three types:
• Ganrang Mangkasarak is the largest and used in important sacred ceremonies, such as blessing royal heirlooms.
• Ganrang Pakarena is smaller (30–40 cm in diameter) and used for Pakarena dance, which uses 2–4 drums with different beats to symbolize strength and vitality.
• Ganrang Pamancak is the smallest (20–25 cm in diameter) and used for martial arts accompaniment.

In Bugis Gendrang, two playing styles depend on how the drum is held:
• Mappalece gendrang is when the drum is placed on the player’s lap.
• Maggendrang tettong is when the drum is worn on the shoulder and used for sacred ceremonies or entertainment like rice mortar beating or mappadendang.

There are three main beat patterns in gendrang playing:
• Pammulang patterns are used as an introduction.
• Bali Sumange patterns follow, with more energy.
• Kanjara patterns are used last as a finale.

Gallery

• A member of the Sundanese Gamelan group Samba-Sunda, a family known for playing Sundanese drums (Kendang Sunda).
• A Bali kendang drum, showing both sides are the same size. The drum in this image is unusual—most Balinese kendang are cone-shaped (with an hourglass shape inside).
• A Java kendang drum, with one side larger than the other.
• A bas-relief carving of a kendang drum at the Prambanan temple.
• Another bas-relief carving of a kendang drum at the Prambanan temple.