Multi-octave Metallophone of Java and Bali. In the Central Javanese gamelan it usually has 12 to 14 bevel-edged keys suspended over individual tube resonators and is played with two padded disc-shaped mallets, using an elaborate damping technique. In a complete gamelan there are three gendèr barung (lower-pitched gendèr, approximately 105 cm long) and three gendèr panerus (higher-pitched, approximately 90 cm long), one of each type for the slèndro tuning and two of each type for the pélog tuning (one for the pélog sub-scale bem, featuring pitches 12356, and the other for barang, featuring pitches 72356). (For further information on Central Javanese performing practice, see Indonesia, §III and Mode, §V, 4(ii)).
Balinese gender are metallophones with bevel-edged, bronze keys suspended over tuned, bamboo resonators and played with two disc-headed mallets. The damping technique required is technically demanding since the sound must be stopped by the same hands that are striking the keys. Tuned to pentatonic slendro, a pair or quartet of ten-key gender wayang (the second pair tuned one octave higher and doubling the lower pair) accompany wayang kulit (shadow puppet theatre) and ceremonies for tooth-filing and cremation. Compositions are mostly contrapuntal and intricate, with stratified textures and rapid tempos typical of larger ensembles. Balinese musicians consider this to be one of the most difficult instruments to master. In slow pieces both hands play in parallel octaves or empat (the interval spanning four keys, approximately a 5th) with delicate grace notes and rubato. This latter technique is typical of gender in the larger gamelan palegongan, where a pair or quartet of 13-key gender rambat, tuned to a pentatonic pelog-derived tuning, play a leading melodic role.
In a more general sense, gender denotes a metallophone family of the same construction common to many ensembles (e.g. gamelan semar pagulingan, gong kebyar). These instruments vary in size and register from the large jegogan through jublag, penyacah, ugal, and gangsa pemade to the highest gangsa kantilan, with a single or double-octave range. They are struck with a single mallet (panggul) held in the right hand and damped with the left-hand thumb and forefinger. All gender exist in pairs (see Indonesia, §II, 1(ii)(c)).
MARGARET J. KARTOMI/LISA GOLD