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The gamelan tradition is unique to the Indonesian islands of Java, Bali, and Lombok although ensembles of gongs and drums are common throughout SE Asia. The gamelan consists mainly of gongs (a Javanese word), metallophones (similar to xylophones), and drums. The instruments are generally made of bronze, but may be of iron or brass, and the wooden frames which hold the instruments are carved and painted.

Gamelan is a communal form of music-making: the sounds and rhythms of the various instruments are woven into a balanced texture. There are no soloists and little improvisation in traditional gamelan music. Even the solo vocalist and the chorus are considered to be just one more element in the overall sound. The music is used as an integral part of dance, drama, puppet shows, or as an accompaniment to court or village celebrations or ceremonies.

Each instrument in the gamelan has a defined part to play. Gamelan music
uses either a five or a seven note scale. The music has three elements: the central or "skeleton" melody--the balungan, played by the metallophones; the elaboration of that melody, played by small kettle gongs and soft-toned
instruments--a flute, stringed instruments, and a wooden xylophone among them; and the "punctuation" of the melody by larger gongs and drums. The drummer in the center of the ensemble coordinates the music, but the soul of the gamelan is said to reside in the largest gong--the most important instrument of the ensemble.

Javanese and Balinese gamelans have a very different sound and some different instruments from each other. Javanese music tends towards a more stately, slow and controlled expression, reflecting the most respected kind of behavior in that culture, while Balinese gamelan music is noted for its stridency, rhythmic vitality and capriciousness. Opinions about which style is the better one are strongly felt and expressed on these islands!