Malay music

Malay music (Malay: Muzik Melayu) is a traditional music genre that originated and developed in the east coast of Sumatra, Kalimantan and the Malay Peninsula. This music is usually sung by people from the Malay ethnic group and is often accompanied by typical local Malay dances, for example the Offering dance at traditional events or parties, welcoming guests of honor, and in religious activities. What is interesting about this music genre lies in its composition, which consists of song lyrics containing verses adapted to everyday life and full of moral messages, filled with typical Malay cengkok sounds or vocals, and neatly arranged musical arrangements.

Malay music
Variety 2 Walking Dance Movements in Serampang Dance 12
Cultural origins	Malay culture

Along with the development of the times, Malay music has experienced a shift in musical style, for example, it has experienced a fusion with pop music, rock music and dangdut. This flow can be found in Malay-related countries, such as Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei.

At the beginning of its development, the musical instruments used were dominated by the rebana action called Kompang from Ponorogo, the plucking of the gambus, the violin playing, the sounding of the accordion, the sound of the gong, and the blowing of the shehnai. It is influenced by the cultures of Arab lands and traditional Europe. Along with the development of technology, all of this has been replaced by electronic musical instruments in the form of keyboards. However, in certain activities traditional musical instruments are still used to preserve cultural heritage.

In its progress, this movement was popular in the 80s and even entered the "puncak kegemilangan" era in the 90s. This is marked by the increasing number of Malay singers and bands, and newcomers emerging with their own signature songs.

History

Looking back, the beginning of Malay Music has its roots in Qasidah which originated from the arrival and spread of Islam in the archipelago in 635 - 1600 from Arabia, Gujarat and Persia, the nature of which was the reading of poetry and then sung. Therefore, initially the lyrics used were originally from Gurindam which were sung, and gradually they were also used to accompany dance. Since the opening of the Suez Canal, there was a migration of Arabs and Egyptians into the Dutch East Indies from 1870 until after 1888. They brought the Gambus musical instrument and played Arabic music. This influence is also mixed with traditional music with Gurindam poetry and local traditional musical instruments such as gongs, hornets, etc. Then around 1940, Deli Malay Music was born, of course the style of playing this music was very different from its origins as Qasidah, because the development of this period was not only singing Gurindam lyrics, but had developed far into entertainment music for singing and accompanying dances typical of the Malay people of the east coast of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula. With the development of electronic technology around 1950, loudspeakers, electric guitars, and even the development of keyboards began to be introduced. And no less important is the development of the recording industry since 1950.

See also

• Music of Malaysia
• Music of Indonesia
• Music of Brunei
• Music of Singapore