Siter from the Javanese Gamelan Kyai Rengga Manis Everist

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NMM 9880. Siter. Plucked zither with four legs. Twenty-four wire strings. Teakwood body decorated with flower and leaf pattern covered in gold leaf. Length (long side / short side): 58.5 / 45.8 cm. One tuning hammer and a small coil of extra wire in tuning compartment.

Above:  Close-up of Bridge Left:  Click on lower end of siter to see interior of tool compartment

Function:  The siter is an elaborating instrument. Its role is similar to that of the celempung—filling in with ornate patterns based on the balungan or basic melody and the irama; however, the octave range of the siter is higher than that of the celempung. The siter, celempung, and gambang all play the same number of beats in relation to each measure of the balungan melody.

Playing technique:  The siter is played like the celempung—the player sits on the floor facing the smaller end of the instrument and plucks the strings with the nails of both thumbs. Long thumbnails are essential.

Go to Checklist of Musical Instruments from Kyai Rengga Manis Everist Gamelan

Go to The Manufacture and Ceremonial History of the Kyai Rengga Manis Everist Gamelan

Go to The Arrival of the Kyai Rengga Manis Everist Gamelan in Vermillion, July 15, 2000

Go to The Naming Ceremony for the Kyai Rengga Manis Everist Gamelan, April 26, 2003

Go to Glossary of Terms Relating to the Kyai Rengga Manis Everist Gamelan

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