Keprak from the Javanese Gamelan Kyai Rengga Manis Everist

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NMM 9921.  Keprak (also kaprak). Four bronze plates tied together with cord and hung from a bronze hook. Length:  16.0 cm.

Function:  The keprak is used in Javanese wayang kulit (shadow puppet theater) by the dhalang (puppeteer) to give sound effects to puppet movements. It can also be used to cue the musicians to start, stop, and speed up the music.

Playing technique:  The keprak is played by hanging the plates on the hook from the puppet box. The dhalang (puppeteer) manipulates the plates with the foot while seated cross-legged.

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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