Malay music had it's roots in Singapore since so very long ago. Even before Raffles had set foot into Singapore, there were the Orang Kallang, Orang Seletar, Orang Gelam, Orang Lauts , Malays (followers of Temenggong Abdul Rahman) and Chinese who had already made Singapore their home. In these small fisherman vilages, their sources of music were likely to be similar to what was found in Malaysia: music in the form of pencat silat, songs of work life, life cycles, self entertainment, healing, religious celebrations. The Orang Suku (the lowest class of Orang Laut) had the job of entertainment and music at the Malay courts.
Nobat
The Nobat was the music that had been performed in the courts of the Sultan of Malaya. It was performed during: inaugarations, weddings and funerals. It had found its place in Singapore when the Queen of Bintan had introduced the Nobat to the kings, including Sri Tri Buana. And it was said that it was Sri Tri Buana who had then brought it into Singapore On the left is a picture of the Balai Nobat. This is where the instruments are kept and played. The video below also shows the some of the different instruments are used. They include the serunai (a wind instrument resembling the clarinet), the nafiri (a type of long trumpet), gendang (a drum in the form of a hollow cylinder with parchment stretched over its open sides) and the gong.
Kompang
The Kompang is a traditional music instrument, classified under the “gendang” family. It is made from a wooden frame and sheep’s skin on one side. Music made through the interlocking system of playing with 3 main paluans: 1. MELALU - the mother of all rhythms 2. SELANG - the alternating rhythm that plays off beat to melalu 3.TINGKAH - the elaborating rhythm.
As can be seen from the video, this instrument is often used in wedding processions. Sometimes performances involving traditional and even contemporary dance also use this instruments.
Joget
This popular traditional dance in Malaysia, was introduced to Malacca during the era of the spice trade by the Portugese. Its influence likely to have spread downwards into Singapore. The joget uses a fast, upbeat tempo, and is performed by couples using fast limb movements. Joget remains popular amongst the older generations in Singapore, but not likely in the younger generations who would still very much prefer their pop tunes. It is usually performed during cultural celebrations and Malay Weddings.
Asyik
This is a dance drama without speech, and is performed by women for Royalty. Asyek is very uncommon in Singapore nowadays, though it is still performed in Kelantan. Gedumbak Asyek & Gambang played by women.Rebab played by a man. The Canang, Gendang, Gong were also used later on.
Kuda Kepang Once a dance for totemistic worship, it is now used to spread the word of Islam. This dance tells a tale of 9 muslim evangelists who had ridden on horseback, and used dramatised stories of the battle waged for Islam's cause, to spread the word of Islam into Java. The 2D horses are made of hide or pleated rattan. Dancers re-enact the early Islamic battles in enthusiastic gestures and vigorous action. Apart from the gamelan and the kompang, indigenous instruments such as gongs, tambourines and angklungs are used in accompaniment. Presently, many of the dancers still go into such a deep trance that they start eating crushed glass, claiming that the horse's spirit is within them. Some believe that such acts are going against Islam, as they feel that these performances call on spirits other than Allah. However, as Faddy says, when stripped of the use of such external forces, this cultural performance can then be appreciated by all. Malay Music Scene in Singapore
No proper school to learn Malay music as part of the curriculum. As a CCA in school, many would rather focus on the more "exotic" Javanese music (e.g gamelan). During performances, in an attempt to reach out to the masses and due to the lack of understanding of the music, its ethnicity and the complexity may be lost by the composer and the organiser. Furthermore, an uninformed audience may result in the lost of the original music overtime. It seems that the Malay music scene may be going downhill in Singapore... But does this translate to the other genres too?????????? Maybe we should take a look at the rest=]
