Organology Of The Traditional Musical Instrument Gerantg In Gayo, Central Aceh Regency

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the organology and playing techniques of the Gerantung, a traditional musical instrument from the Gayo region in Central Aceh Regency. The research addresses the limited number of studies that integrate instrument construction with playing techniques and the resulting sound characteristics. A qualitative approach with an ethnomusicological perspective was employed. Data were collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation involving craftspeople, players, and traditional leaders selected via purposive sampling. Data analysis involved reduction, thematic coding, categorization, and contextual interpretation to identify the relationship between organological aspects and playing techniques. The findings reveal that the construction of the Gerantung encompassing its shape, materials, and manufacturing techniques directly influences the playing techniques employed and determines the resulting sound characteristics. Playing techniques evolved in response to the instrument's structure; thus, they cannot be separated from its organological aspects. Furthermore, the study found that social changes have influenced variations in playing techniques and the instrument's usage within the community's cultural context. This research underscores the importance of an integrative approach to organology one that goes beyond describing the instrument's physical form to explain its interconnections with musical practices and cultural dynamics.