Traditional Music: Definition, Characteristics and Functions

Baca Juga

Photo Source: Detik.com

FEMUSINDO.com - Traditional music has lived and become a culture of a particular region for hundreds or even thousands of years.

In each region, the music has its own characteristics, both in terms of form, how to play it, and the sound produced by the music.

In people's lives, music is an inseparable part. Not only now, but for a long time music has lived from time to time.

As time progresses, the quality of music in each country also continues to increase. Since long ago, there has also been something called traditional music.

Traditional music is truly music that is important to preserve. Because the ancestral heritage that has been passed down to each generation is proof of the richness of art in the past.

According to Purnomo (2010), traditional music is music that was born, grew, and developed throughout Indonesia and has been passed down from generation to generation until now, because it is still maintained and carried out by the local community.

Meanwhile, according to Tumbijo (2017), traditional music is a cultural art that lives and develops in certain areas and has been passed down for a long time.

Literally, traditional music is music that was born and developed in certain areas and continues to exist because it is preserved by the local community who inherited the music.

Because it is passed down from generation to generation, the cultural value of this music is also getting higher. The characteristics it carries will continue to be maintained and become a differentiator from regional music or other regions in Indonesia.

Traditional music has characteristics or uniqueness, including ideas and also musical vocals are not passed down in writing, but are directly given orally.

So, this traditional music is passed down directly, not something that is written and then memorized.

Then, the language used in music with vocals is the local regional language. Both the melody and rhythm of this music show the uniqueness of the area where the traditional music comes from. The musical instruments used are also typical musical instruments from that area.

Traditional musical instruments in each region have their own functions. Usually, musical instruments are juxtaposed with other traditional cultural heritages.

The function of traditional musical instruments is as a tool or means of traditional ceremonies that have been carried out for a long time. For example, it is used at weddings, births, religious ceremonies, and even death ceremonies.

Another function, traditional musical instruments are related to cultural heritage which is usually used for regional art performances.

Furthermore, the function of traditional musical instruments is as a medium for communication, creativity and expression. (*)