The roots of keroncong come from a type of Portuguese music known as fado that was introduced by sailors and slaves of the nation's commercial ships since the 16th century to the archipelago. This music was first in Malacca and then played by slaves from Maluku.
The weakening of Portuguese influence in the 17th century in the archipelago (Indonesia) does not necessarily mean the disappearance of this music. This early form of music was called moresco (a dance of Spanish origin, like a rather slow rhythmic polka), in which one of the songs by Kusbini rearranged is now known as Kr. Muritsku, which is accompanied by string instruments.
Keroncong music originating from Tugu is called keroncong Tugu. In its development, a number of traditional elements of the archipelago entered, such as the use of flutes and some gamelan components. Around the 19th century this mixed form of music was already popular in many places in the archipelago, even up to the Malay Peninsula.
This golden age continued until around the 1960s, and then dimmed due to the influx of popular music (rock music that developed since 1950, and the success of Beatle music and the like since 1961 until now). Even so, keroncong music is still played and enjoyed by various levels of society in Indonesia and Malaysia until now.
Fado, Protestant church and Keroncong music
It is known that Keroncong Music [1] entered Indonesia around 1512, when the Portuguese expedition led by Alfonso de Albuquerque came to Malacca and Maluku in 1512.
Of course, the Portuguese sailors brought Fado - type songs, namely Portuguese folk songs with Arabic tones (minor scales, because the Arab Moors had colonized the Portuguese/Spanish in 711-1492.
Fado-type songs still exist in Latin America (former Spanish colonies), such as those sung by the Trio Los Panchos or Los Paraguayos, or also songs in West Sumatra (Arab culture) such as ayam Den Lapeh.
When Portuguese prisoners and slaves from Goa (India) in Kampung Tugu were freed in 1661 by the Dutch East Indies government (VOC), they were required to convert from Catholicism to Protestantism, so that the habit of singing Fado songs became singing as in Protestant Churches, which were on the major scale.
Furthermore, in 1880 Keroncong music was born, and this beginning of Keroncong music was also influenced by Hawaiian songs in the major charts, which also developed rapidly in Indonesia along with Keroncong music.
Musical instruments
In its earliest forms, moresco was accompanied by string music, such as violin, ukulele, and cello. Percussion is also sometimes used.
This kind of orchestra Set is still used by keroncong Tugu, a form of keroncong that is still played by a community of descendants of Portuguese slaves from Ambon who live in Kampung Tugu, North Jakarta, which then developed southwards in Kemayoran and Gambir by Betawi people mingling with
Tanjidor music (1880-1920). In 1920-1960 the development center moved to Solo, and adapted to a slower rhythm according to the nature of the Javanese.
Pem - "pribumi" - an keroncong make it a mixed art, with musical instruments such as
- Indian sitar
- rebab
- bamboo flute
- drums, kenong, and saron as a gamelan set
- gong.
Currently, the musical instruments used in the keroncong orchestra include
ukulele cuk, stringed 3 (nylon), the tone order is G, B and E; as the main instrument that voiced crong-crong so called keroncong (invented in 1879 in Hawaii, and is the beginning of the milestone of keroncong music)
ukulele cak, stringed 4 (Steel), the tone sequence is A, D, Fis, and B. So when another instrument plays the C scale, cak plays on the F scale (known as in F);
acoustic guitar as melodic guitar, played in contrapuntis (anti melodic)style;
violin (replaces fiddle); since made by Amati or Stradivarius of Cremona Italy around 1600 has never changed its model until now;
flute (replacing bamboo flute), in the era of Tempo Doeloe wear Albert flute (black wooden flute with holes and valves, the sound is a bit broken, example Lief Java orchestra), while Padaera keroncong Abadi has been wearing Bohm flute (all metal flute with valves, smoother sound with beautiful tone ornaments)
the cello; betot replaced the drum, also unchanged since it was made by Amati and Stradivarius of Cremona Italy 1600, only in keroncong it is played characteristically;
the contrabass (replacing the Gong), also a plucked bus, has not changed since the Amati and Stradivarius of Cremona Italy 1600 made it;
The keepers of rhythm are held by the ukulele and the bass. The contrapuntical guitar and the rhythmic cello orchestrate chord transitions. Violin serves as a guide melody, as well as decoration/ornament down. The Flut fills the top decoration, the hover fills the empty melodic space.
The form of keroncong mixed with popular music now uses a single organ and synthesizer to accompany keroncong songs (on the stage of a versatile single organ party playing keroncong, dangdut, rock, polka, mars).
Types of kroncong
Keroncong music is more inclined to chord progressions and the type of instrument used. Since the mid-20th century, at least three kinds of keroncong have been known, which can be recognized by their chord progression patterns.
For musicians who already understand the plot, accompanying keroncong songs is actually not difficult, because it is enough to adjust the prevailing pattern. Development is done by maintaining the consistency of the pattern. In addition, there are also mixed forms and adaptations.