Kendang: The Two-Headed Drum of the Indonesian Archipelago

Kendang, also known as gendang, is a double-headed drum that is widely used throughout the Indonesian Archipelago. This percussion instrument is an essential part of the Gamelan ensemble, which is commonly found in the Javanese, Sundanese, and Balinese cultures. Kendang is also used in Kulintang ensembles in Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.

Different ethnic groups have their own unique way of constructing kendang. However, it is generally similar to the Indian mridangam double-headed drum. The kendang has been a part of the Indonesian culture for centuries, as evidenced by its depiction in ancient temples such as the Borobudur and Prambanan temples.

Kendang drums have two sides with different sizes, with the larger, lower-pitched side usually placed to the right. Balinese, Tausug, and Maranao kendang drums have both sides of equal size and can be played with a combination of hands and/or sticks. The drum is usually played while seated on the floor and hit with the hands on either side. The kendang is smaller than the bedug, another type of drum found in Gamelan ensembles.

The primary function of the kendang in Gamelan ensembles is to keep the tempo while changing the density and signaling transitions to sections and the end of the piece. During dance or wayang performances, the kendang player follows the movements of the dancer and communicates them to the other players in the ensemble. In Sundanese Gamelan Degung, kendang is used to keep the tempo, while in Jaipongan dances, kendang is the main instrument.

The Makassarese have a special reverence for the ganrang (kendang) drums, considering them the most sacred of all musical instruments, comparable to gongs in Java. The drums are played alone with multiple drums playing different patterns creating syncopation. These traditions can be seen across lowland South Sulawesi with Bugis people also sharing similar reverence to the gendrang.

The best kendang instruments are made from the wood of jackfruit, coconuts, or cempedak. Buffalo hide is used for the bam (inferior surface, which emits low-pitch beats) while soft goatskin is used for the chang (superior surface, which emits high-pitch beats). The skin is stretched on y-shaped leather or rattan strings, which can be tightened to change the pitch of the heads. The thinner the leather, the sharper the sound.

Kendang is an essential part of the Indonesian cultural heritage, with various ethnic groups having their own unique ways of constructing and playing the instrument. It is a testament to the diversity and richness of Indonesia's musical traditions.

As any other drum, kendang may be used in music education for rhythm games and group activities, such as this one.

While the kendang is too big to be played at home comfortably, smaller percussion instruments, such as tongue drum, provide this opportunity.

Playing traditional music notes is difficult for people who have no musical knowledge. You need to know the rhythmic value of each note, its place on the staff, note duration, and its combination with other notes. To be aware of all this simultaneously demands music experience and advanced skills. Nevertheless, even if you have never studied music, you can begin to play complicated melodies, and also experiment with your tongue drum in a meditative way.