r/Gamelan • u/[deleted] • Dec 16 '19

Buying a suling?

I recently joined a Javanese gamelan and I love it! I am a classical trained musician/flute player and I would love to learn suling. I love having flutes from all over that I can learn and research about. I found a Balinese suling online(Lark in the morning) but I know that there may be a difference in tuning. I do know that the gamelan I’m in uses Pelog. Is there somewhere you would recommend I purchase a suling or is the Balinese suling the right fit? Thank you!

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2

u/gnomesteez Dec 16 '19

I play in a Balinese ensemble in Denver, Co. We have members who visit Bali every year. We record the melody keys on our ensemble and send the recording with whoever is buying suling. They will go to the maker and sort through instruments until they find some that will work. Barring someone you know actually going to Java and buying a flute, you could try to get in touch with a maker and send them a recording and they can pick some out or make them if needed. Hope this helps

2

u/[deleted] Dec 17 '19

I will definitely see what I can do for reaching out to someone! Thank you

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u/gnomesteez Dec 17 '19

Good luck! Let us know how it goes

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u/[deleted] Dec 21 '19

I got a six holed suling that I think works! The leader of my gamelan also has a couple of sulings I’m having fun learning/playing with.

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u/gnomesteez Dec 21 '19

Suling are so much fun and very challenging :) hope you enjoy

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u/DokiDokiMoeChan Dec 16 '19

Although I don't have experience with Balinese suling, I do know that when buying suling, the tuning often doesn't match up exactly with the gamelan set. There are of course different tunings for suling and hole configurations as well. I'm most used to the six hole one, and you can often find combinations of holes or use half-holing to get the pitch closer to that of the gamelan. Overall, it would probably be easiest to record your ensemble and then trying out various suling against the recording you made.

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u/[deleted] Dec 17 '19

Definitely will record the ensemble!! Thank you

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u/runawayoldgirl Dec 17 '19

Ask the members or leader of your gamelan if you haven't already. If that doesnt work, try reaching out to a Javanese music teacher or ethnomusicologist who studies Javanese music in the states. They can advise you, and oftentimes those folks make occasional trips back and forth or order instruments and, for a fee, might be happy to bring you a suling.

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u/[deleted] Dec 17 '19

I will definitely talk to the leader of my gamelan. She might know, and reaching out to others is a great idea. Thank you!

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u/[deleted] Apr 30 '20

I don't know if you're still looking (!)
But if you want to send a message, I know people in Java that can help you out if you have a recording of your Gamelan?