Proportions of Pencu-type Instruments

I've spent a good bit of time thinking about coming up with meaningful dimensions for gamelan instruments with a pencu (a knob, or boss). Over the years, I have come up with what I think are a few, reasonably measurable attributes of these instruments for the purposes of comparative analysis. Why, you might ask, should anyone want to pursue this rather un-musical activity? Well, aside from the fact that many would not want to spend their time this way, amassing a set of measurements - and deriving proportional characteristics from them - could reveal some interesting similarities between instruments and thereby support some speculation about the traditions of gong smithing.


Photo © Tony Bingham, 1977

Its a well-established fact that close scrutiny of European and American historical instruments has led to some startlingly interesting and important theses about the connections and continuties in instrument manufacture. This research has allowed for new understanding of how instruments evolved, who apprenticed with whom, and even the identification of previously anonymous instruments. Transferring this thinking to a tradition in which none of the gongsmiths signed their instruments - like that of Java - is a bit of a leap and the rewards may not, in fact, be as great. Perhaps the most optimistic hope for conclusions would be the possibility of better identifying the characteristics of the several types of gongs which have already been specified by the practitioners of this art (bondan, siyem, and gunapangrawitan). Because these types are generally associated with particular epochs, better understanding of these attributes would also help in approximate dating of un-dated instruments. Further, if a large credible knowledgebase could be assembled, it is possible that analysis of subtle differences in proportions might lead to a finer determination of the timeline of developments in the gongsmithing tradition.

Obviously, no amount of data would allow for believable dating speculation without a number of milestones. To inform any analysis, measurements of a number of pencu-type instruments with a known provenance (such as gamelans in the various keraton) would be required. It follows, therefore, that some of our colleagues with access to these instruments lead the way by providing both dimensional and manufacturing information about them. It would then be necessary for others to follow up by developing and sharing data about other instruments. Clearly, there is no guarantee of results. The project I am proposing would require a large number of interested people doing exacting difficult work over a lengthy time period. It would also require general agreement on the concept, terms, methodology, degree of accuracy, etc. Who knows, it might not be possible at all. Nevertheless, it strikes me that it would be interesting and might well be intellectually rewarding.

Anyway, I've come up with a template which I feel is useful and would like to urge others to try it out and, in addition to your own purposes, email me some data.

[This is a draft and there will be more to come 1/3/98]