Music of Indonesia

Indonesia is a country with many different tribes and ethnic groups, and its music is also highly diverse, coming in hundreds of different forms and styles. Every region has its own distinct culture and art, and as a result traditional music differs from area to area. For example, each traditional type of music is often accompanied by its very own dance and theatre. Contemporary music scene has also been heavily shaped by various foreign influences, such as those from America, Britain, Japan, Korea, and India.

The music of Java, Kalimantan, Sumatra, Bali, Flores (Lesser Sunda Islands) and other islands have been well documented and recorded, and further research by Indonesian and international scholars is also ongoing. The music in Indonesia predates historical records, various Native Indonesian tribes often incorporate chants and songs accompanied with musical instruments in their rituals. The contemporary music of Indonesia today is also popular amongst neighbouring countries, such as Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.

In general, the traditional music and songs of Indonesia comprise a strong beat and harmony with strong influence from Indian, Javanese, Arab, Chinese and Malay classical music. The influence is strongly visible in the popular traditional music genre of Dangdut.

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