Javanese Traditional Play Song: Gambang Suling
Gambang Suling is a folk song from Central Java. Gambang Suling is a song composed by an art mestro from Central Java, Ki Narto Sabdo. He is a legendary puppeteer and musician who created hundreds of songs that are popular and loved by many people. This song was created because it was inspired by Ki Narto Sabdo’s admiration for the flute. The song has an andante tempo like walking (76-108 bpm).
The dolanan song Gambang Suling is usually sung by rural children in local games. This song is included in the field of school learning, especially in the Central Java area. The song Gambang Suling is very synonymous with the flute because each lyric tells about how the flute is used and how the sound is produced. Ki Narto Sabdo, the creator of this song, loves the flute so much that he can compose the song Gambang Suling with each lyric describing the harmonization of the flute.
The song Gambang Suling is often used as music to accompany wayang performances. With an andante tempo, the song Gambang Suling is very suitable for accompaniment in wayang performances because of its slow tempo. Gambang Suling will be a folk song that will continue to be introduced to future generations, apart from the short song but every lyric and verse has a deep meaning.
