Balinese Gamelan

Gamelan is a term for various types of orchestra played on Bali. It is the main element of the Balinese traditional music. Each gamelan is slightly different from the other; however, they all have the same organization, which based on different instrumental groups with specific orchestral functions.
The instruments in a gamelan are composed of sets of tuned bronze gongs, gong-chimes, metallophones, drums, one or more flute, bowed and plucked string instruments, and sometimes singers. In some village gamelan, bronze is sometimes replaced by iron, wood, or bamboo.
In Balinesian traditional thinking, the gamelan is sacred and is believed to have supernatural power. Both musician and non-musicians are humble and respectful to the gamelan. Incense and flowers are often offered to the gamelan. It is believed that each instrument in the gamelan is guided by spirits. Thus, the musician have to take off their shoes when they play the gamelan. It is also forbidden to step over any instrument in a gamelan, because it might offend the spirit by doing so. Some gamelan are believed to have so much powers that playing them may exert power over nature. Others may be touched only by persons who are ritually qualified. The most important instrument is the Gong Ageng. Musicians believe that Gong Ageng is the main spirit of the entire gamelan.
In 1975 the German musician Eberhard Schoener, born in Stuttgart, living in Munich, went to Bali to produce a record called "Bali Agung", Balinese traditional gamelan music with together with Eberhard Schoeners jazz music influence.