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Slenthem

Classification	Percussion instrument Idiophone
Developed	Indonesia

The slenthem (also slentem or gender panembung) is an Indonesian metallophone which makes up part of a Javanese gamelan orchestra. The slenthem is part of the gendér family. It consists of a set of bronze keys comprising a single octave: there are six keys when playing the slendro scale and seven when playing the pelog. These keys are suspended by leather cords over individual bamboo tube resonators in a wooden frame, which are cut so that the placement of the bamboo's node causes the functional length of the resonator to be shorter for higher notes. The instrument is played by striking the keys with a mallet, called a tabuh, which has a short handle and a thin wooden disk edged in cloth or rubber. One hand is left free to dampen notes. It is a low-pitched instrument with a softer sound than the saron demung.

Like the saron barung and demung, it generally plays the most basic form of the melody (balungan) in a composition. However it also sometimes uses techniques similar to the saron to elaborate. It is especially favored in quieter gamelan ensembles (such as Gamelan Gadhon); but it is a part of standard Gamelan Gedhé as the only soft-style instrument also played in loud-style pieces.

It is typically placed among the instruments at the front of the performing area.

See also

• Gamelan
• Kenong
• Saron
• Bonang
• Gong
• Music of Java

References

1. Hood, Mantle; Maceda, José (1972), Music, Brill Archive, ISBN 978-90-04-03402-0
2. Gaetano Jr., Mario A. (Spring–Summer 1978), "Definite pitched idiophones of the Javanese gamelan" (PDF), Percussionist, 15 (3): 121–143
3. Benamou, Marc; Supanggah, Rahayu (2006), Indonesia, Central Java: Solonese Gamelan: A Garland of Moods (PDF), Maison des Cultures du Monde
4. Dean, Deirdre (July 1996), "The classroom gamelan" (PDF), Counterpoint: 31–37, archived from the original (PDF) on June 15, 2005
5. Kartomi, Margaret J. (1990), On Concepts and Classifications of Musical Instruments, University of Chicago Press, pp. 101, 104, ISBN 978-0-226-42549-8
6. Kartomi, Margaret J. (1990), On Concepts and Classifications of Musical Instruments, University of Chicago Press, p. 89, ISBN 978-0-226-42549-8

External links

• NIU page on the slentem

v t e Gamelan
Theory	Pelog Slendro Pathet Cengkok Seleh Sekaran Imbal & kotekan Gatra Colotomy Gendhing structures Irama Gamelan notation
Genres & ensembles	American gamelan Angklung gamelan Bebonangan gamelan Beleganjur gamelan Degung gamelan Gadhon gamelan Gambang gamelan Gender wayang gamelan Gong gede gamelan Gong kebyar gamelan Gong Si Bolong Jegog gamelan Joged bumbung gamelan Malay gamelan Munggang gamelan Salendro gamelan Sekaten gamelan Selunding gamelan Semar pegulingan gamelan Siteran gamelan Surakartan gamelan
Musicians	K. P. H. Notoprojo Nartosabdo Martopangrawit Rahayu Supanggah Sumarsam I Nyoman Windha Evan Ziporyn Gamelan Sekar Jaya Gamelan Son of Lion List of U.S. gamelan ensembles Michael Tenzer
Instruments	Colotomic or phrase-making Gong Gong ageng Kempul Kempyang Kenong Ketuk Balungan or melody Bonang Bonang barung Bonang panerus Bonang panembung Saron Saron peking Saron panerus Saron barung Saron demung Slentem Slentho Panerusan or elaborating Gambang Gender Gender panerus Rebab Siter Celempung Suling Unpitched Bedug Kecer Kemanak Kendang Kendang gending Kendang ciblon Kendang ketipung Kepyak Vocals and clapping Gerongan Sindenan Pesinden Alok Senggakan Keplok

• Balungan instruments
• Keyboard percussion instruments
• Gamelan instruments
• Indonesian musical instruments