Workshop Details:
- Date: Saturday and Sunday, June 14th and 15th, 2025
- Time: 15:00 – 18:00
- Location: Global Music Academy, Wildenbruchstr. 80, 12045 Berlin
- Price: €72
About the Workshop
Rhythm is a fundamental element of most forms of music worldwide. In Indonesia the Balinese and Javanese people have developed sophisticated and lively interlocking rhythmic patterns which allow them to play complex rhythms built from combinations of relatively simple parts. Making music this way is both extremely satisfying and a lot of fun! Two examples of this are found in the Balinese vocal percussion called Kecak, and the rhythms of the Javanese frame drum called rebana.
Workshop participants will learn the basic syllables and rhythms of the Kecak, and practise the rebana rhythms using drums, handclaps and body percussion. There will also be some frame drums available but please bring your own drum with you to the workshop if you have one. You are also encouraged to bring your own instruments, no matter what instrument you play. In the last part of the workshop we will explore how to apply the Indonesian rhythmic concepts to all instruments, and create a piece of music together using these techniques.
The workshop will be led by Australian percussionist Ron Reeves, who has spent many years living in Indonesia and learning various forms of traditional music there.
Workshop Schedule
- Welcome and Introduction
Gathering and introduction. Some history of Kecak in Bali and Rebana in Java. Introduction to the form of Indonesian rhythmic interplay. - The Balinese Kecak
Learn the basic vocal syllables and 3 fundamental rhythmic patterns of Kecak. Participants will have a chance to try all 3 parts. We will then add other parts, and learn some of the hand and body movements that are part of any Kecak performance. - Javanese Rebana Rhythms
Working on the interlocking rhythms of Javanese rebana using handclaps and body percussion. In Java the rebana often accompany singing, so we will work on doing that also. - Applying the rhythms to frame drums and all instruments
We will explore the possibilities of applying the rhythms of Kecak and Rebana on the frame drums as well as your own instrument(s), and work together to create a new piece of music using whichever instruments people have brought to the workshop. - Wrap-up:
A chance to ask any final questions, give feedback on the workshop, and receive any help that you need with any aspect of the rhythmic practice. - Final performance
Put what you’ve learned in the workshop into practice in a final group performance.