Southeast Asia

American Gamelan Institute
Gamelan music of all kinds is supported and documented by the American Gamelan Institute, an organization devoted to publishing, recording, distributing, and making available information on all aspects of Indonesian performing arts and their international counterparts. The site features a catalogue, directory of gamelan groups, and GONGCAST, a Web broadcast of gamelan and other Indonesian music. RealPlayer required.

Ancient Future: Bali
This site contains a short introduction to the Balinese gamelan, plus MIDI files of tunings and song samples. Try the beginning, intermediate, and advanced Balinese rhythm exercises.

Bali & Beyond
Bali & Beyond is a performing arts company inspired by the cultures of Indonesia, based in Los Angeles. The site, which is designed to supplement the group's performances, provides illustrated, stand-alone introductions -- including descriptions of instruments and audio clips -- to the major two major forms of Balinese and Javanese performing arts: wayang kulit (shadow puppets) and gamelan, the percussion-oriented Indonesian orchestra.

Central Javanese Gamelan
This site contains articles on Eastern music, including Central Javanese gamelan. don't miss the list of representative recordings, which includes useful annotations plus information on how to go about finding these rare recordings.

Gamelan Sekar Jaya - Balinese Gamelan in America
Gamelan Sekar Jaya is an American non-profit organization dedicated to the study and presentation of traditional and contemporary Balinese performing arts. The site features numerous articles and interactive media that allow you to play tones from Balinese instruments and conduct a short music segment. Shockwave for Director required.

Indonesian Music: Encarta
Get an overview of Indonesian music. Covering both classical and folk/popular music, this article provides a straightforward account of the vocal and instrumental music composed and played by the people of Indonesia. The text is concise and easy-to-follow. don't miss the Further Reading link at the end of the article.

Smithsonian Folkways
With its extensively annotated catalogue of Indonesian recordings, this is a great site for listening, learning, and ordering music. Emphasizing the diversity of Indonesian music, this Smithsonian collection of recordings includes gamelan--the traditional Balinese and Javanese percussion orchestra--as well as solo and group singing and instrumental music.

Speakeasy World Music Pages - Indonesian Music
Check out the pages on Indonesian gamelan and Balinese drumming for interesting and informative articles by Ed Pias. He discusses musical characteristics, techniques, and his own experience learning to play Javanese and Balinese instruments.