The Cat & Fiddle
Irish Pub & Restaurant - Sanur, Bali
Irish Pub & Restaurant - Sanur, Bali
The Java Colonial Kroncong Band
Returning early 2012 at The Cat & Fiddle
Returning early 2012 at The Cat & Fiddle
Kroncong
Kroncong music began in the 16th century as sailors from the Portuguese empire brought Portuguese instruments and music to Indonesia. It is a sort of fusion of Javanese Gamelan rythms and scales, european instruments, and both european and Indonesian songs.
Kroncong music began in the 16th century as sailors from the Portuguese empire brought Portuguese instruments and music to Indonesia. It is a sort of fusion of Javanese Gamelan rythms and scales, european instruments, and both european and Indonesian songs.
The small three stringed kroncong ukelele, is derived from the Portuguese braguinha, and two such instruments, create the characteristic rythms central to the music. This pair of ukeleles interlock, the smaller one, the "cak" (pronounced "chak") is strummed by the instrumentalist with up to 8 strums per beat in 4/4 rhythm. The off-beat strums are accentuated. The larger ukulele is called the "cuk" (pronounced "chook") and the instrumentalist may pluck arpeggios and tremoloes using a plectrum The on-beat is emphasised. The cello which also has 3 strings adds both rhythm and tone while the 3 stringed bass often is played in a minimalist style reminiscent of the large gongs in a gamelan. The melody and elaborate ornamentation is carried by a voice, flute or violin and the vocalist sings the melody which, in traditional Kroncong, is slow with sustained notes.
One of the amazing things about kroncong is that almost any song fits in with the style without losing the instantly recognisable unique rythm.
Many tunes and songs have been written over the years by famous Indonesian composers, and the genre is still popular among discerning Indonesians and Netherlanders with connections to the country and its culture.
You must not miss it when visiting Indonesia.
Many tunes and songs have been written over the years by famous Indonesian composers, and the genre is still popular among discerning Indonesians and Netherlanders with connections to the country and its culture.
You must not miss it when visiting Indonesia.