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The Kethuk and Kempyang

The kethuk and kempyang span are colotomic
or structure-marking instruments
in the Javanese gamelan ensemble.
The parts are not melodious or even particularly
challenging to play. However, the kethuk
and kempyang are helpful in defining
the beat and keeping the ensemble playing together.

Both the kethuk and kempyang
are horizontal gongs much like the kenong or bonang.
Frequently, both instruments will be played by one musician.

Kethuk

The kethuk is a single kettle-gong of definite pitch
(the kethuk of the Kyai Telaga Rukmi ensemble is
a pitch 2; see pages about the Javanese scales and
cipher notation for more information.)
It is played in one of two ways depending upon
the irama (speed) of the piece. In a fast irama
the musician strikes the button or knob of
the instrument without letting the stick rebound or the note ring.
The sound of the kethuk is a dry "Thuk"
(the name of the instrument mirrors its sound).
In a slower irama the kethuk is played in a kind of "dribbling" pattern somewhat like "Thuk thuk thuk thuk thuk".

Kempyang

The kempyang consists of two kettle-gongs
of higher pitch than that of the kethuk. Either
one or both kempyang kettles may be stuck and
allowed to ring with a "Pyang" sound. The two kettles
are pitched about a note apart, so it can be a very
disonant sound when they are struck together.