JP\/7 \/harmoni\/set 1 cols Box<\/p>\n
Musician creates melody from aluminum, bamboo, trays<\/p>\n
SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): Asep Saerul Haris, a graduate
\nstudent of the Surakarta STSI music school, not only composed a
\npiece for his degree, but also designed his own instruments with
\nunique materials to produce specific tones and sounds.<\/p>\n
In just one month, he finished his composition and determined
\nhow it should be performed. His success earned his composition a
\nplace in the forthcoming \"Rhythms of Harmony\" performance of
\nSTSI, scheduled in Jakarta for June 18-19.<\/p>\n
The performance, sponsored by the Indonesian Red Cross and The
\nBritish Council, will include traditional instruments such as the
\nJavanese gamelan and modern percussion instruments.<\/p>\n
One of Asep's unique preparations included calibrating empty
\nbottles to recreate the sounds of a bubbling spring.<\/p>\n
He filled the bottles with varying amounts of water, and added
\ntamarind seeds to others, depending on the sound desired.<\/p>\n
Secured by strips of rubber on a wooden platform, the bottles
\nare played like a marimba, but sound more gentle.<\/p>\n
Asep also used bamboo extensively in his effort to produce
\nspecific effects.<\/p>\n
He drove three kilograms of nails into five bamboo poles of
\ndifferent lengths, then filled the poles with plastic beads and
\nmarbles.<\/p>\n
When swung from side to side or up and down, the instrument
\ncreates a convincing imitation of the sound of flowing water.<\/p>\n
Moved another way, the instrument sounds like crickets
\nchirping.<\/p>\n
The Storm<\/p>\n
Aluminum shaped into two simple forms produces the sounds of a
\nstorm. When shaken vigorously, one long horizontal box filled
\nwith strips of metal creates the crack of lightning, while the
\nother form, a circular tube, is cranked at high speed to make the
\nsteel strips inside the aluminum roll like thunder.<\/p>\n
These sounds, \"symbolize challenges that we face every day ...
\n(which) can always be overcome,\" Asep said.<\/p>\n
Another five pieces of bamboo of different lengths were
\nsecured to two parallel bamboo poles to produce marimba-like
\nbubbly sounds.<\/p>\n
Asep stressed, \"My intention was not to imitate nature but to
\ndistill its meaning, because nature is beautiful.\"<\/p>\n
For this purpose, he taught male musicians to imitate frogs
\ncroaking, dogs barking, etc. through the ingenious use of their
\nmouths and hands.<\/p>\n
Asep's most unique-looking instrument is a very rough surfaced
\nwinnowing tray on which green beans are slowly spilled, rubbed,
\nand allowed to slide from side to side until the motion rises to
\na crescendo.<\/p>\n
This depicts a storm, subsiding eventually into silence as a
\nwomen's choir recedes into an almost inaudible hum.<\/p>\n
Hearing this in Ulalaho, one cannot help but be impressed by
\nthe 11-minute original melody that will open the \"Rhythms of
\nHarmony\" repertoire.<\/p>\n
The only \"standard\" instruments Asep uses are tom-toms for
\naccent and the rousing finale.<\/p>\n
Describing the composition, Asep said that after the sounds of
\nthunder and lightning, it \"ends with that indescribable peace and
\nserenity that sets in after a storm,\"<\/p>\n
Linda Miraflor is a member of the organizing committee for the
\nRhythms of Harmony performance in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
- 30 -<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp7-harmoniset-1-cols-box-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }