How the Directivity of Bundengan Affects Its Musical Performance

Indraswari Kusumaningtyas^a, Raymond Christianto^a, Gea O. F. Parikesit^a, Rosie H. Cook^b, Muhammad S. Abdulloh^c, Luqmanul Chakim^c, Mulyani Moelya^d, Nicole A. Tse^e, Margaret J. Kartomi^f and G. R. Lono Lastoro Simatupang^a

^aUniversitas Gadjah Mada
^bCheng Shiu University
^cWoohoo Artspace
^dSMPN 2 Selomerto
^eUniversity of Melbourne
^fMonash University

Saturday, September 14, 2019 from 14:00 to 14:01

in Summer Theater

Abstract :
The bundengan is a traditional musical instrument from Indonesia that has a half-dome structure, and uses clipped strings and long, thin bamboo plates to generate metal-like and drum-like sounds, respectively. In our previous study, we have unraveled the physics of the clipped strings. However, the interaction between the strings and the half-dome resonator has been largely unknown. In this study, we investigate this interaction, particularly by measuring the directivity of the bundengan as the string vibrations are amplified by the resonator. We performed two sets of measurements, where the instrument was played by traditional and contemporary artists, respectively. This quantitative data complement our interviews with, and qualitative observations on, the artists to provide a comprehensive insight on how the directivity affects the musical performance of the bundengan. Our results open new possibilities for the sustainability of this endangered instrument, as the quantitative analysis allows the makers and players to further enhance the instrument's musical performance.

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