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HOW TO PRESERVE TRADITIONAL MUSIC IN MALAYSIA

Introduction

First of all, I would like to introduce myself. My Nama is Noraliah Sabrina Binti Ahmad Jefry. I am 20 years old and I was born in 27 may 1998. I live in Bandar Baru Sungai Buaya, Rawang, Selangor. I entrolled in music field when I was 11 years old and my first instrument that I played was Piano. Now I am pursuing my studies at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UITM) Shah Alam in Diploma of music majoring in Classical Piano.

Malaysia's multi-cultural and multi-racial heritage is most prominently exhibited in its diverse music and dance forms. Middle Eastern music is popular with Muslim Malays. Malay music is influenced by Islamic prayers and Middle Eastern and Arab music as well as music from Southeast Asia, Indonesia and Europe. Traditional Islamic-style music endures mainly in Kelantan. Most Malays like pan -Asian pop. Instruments used in traditional Malay music include the rebab, gendang, rebana, Chinese-style tawak gongs, the harmonium from India and Western-style violins. The tong is a Kayan instrument similar to a Jew’s harp. Malaysia has two traditional orchestras: the gamelan and the nobat. Originally from Indonesia, the gamelan is a traditional orchestra that plays ethereal lilting melodies using an ensemble of gong percussion and stringed instruments. The Nobat is a royal orchestra that plays more solemn music for the courts using serunai and nafiriwind instruments.

The more recent major influence on the performing arts of Malaysia, was effected by the Portuguese are credited with the introduction of the violin and the guitar, while British cultural influence in Malaysia has been much more generalized. (Ghouse Nasuruddin 1992). In addition to popularizing western music, dance, and theatre, the Europeans have also directly influenced the development of semi-modern syncretic musical forms such as the asli, keroncong, ghazal and bangsawan, which combine both western and traditional musical elements.

As a conclusion of these influences, traditional Malaysian music exhibits multi-faceted musical styles which combine regional as well western and West Asian elements. For example, the musical styles and instruments of northern Peninsula Malaysia resemble those of the Thais, while those in the southern part of the Peninsula have incorporated Indonesian musical elements. Furthermore, all over Malaysia western musical influences are glaringly evident.

How to preserve traditional music in Malaysia

Nowadays, whenever we asked people about these particular things, it is not be surprised that most of them do not know about these traditional instruments or worse haven not heard about it. Therefor it is expected if they do not know on how to play with the instrument. This scenario is worsen the society. It reflects how ungrateful we are toward our ancestor heritage. 

As a traditional music lover, we have to preserve traditional music in Malaysia. Making a Traditional Music Festival is the best way to expose to people especially young people about music traditional. Such Gamelan Festival that was approved by the FOBISIA Heads of Schools during the November 2015 meeting that the Gamelan Festival will be broadened to the World Music Festival to be more inclusive of a wider range of music and to give wider opportunities for cultural enrichment.

As we can see, many people are not care about traditional because they are not being into traditional music vibe since kids and they are not familiar of sound traditional then pop music. Due of these reason, the traditional music industry are not being taken seriously by the people now. For me, we have to take seriously about our culture especially our traditional music because symbolizes the identity of a culture in our country.

Fortunately, there are still many musicians are fighting for our music traditional. For example Monoloque the new singer in industry music that try to make a new and fresh music. As we can know the new song of Monoloque that tittle “Chinta” has put sound of gamelan in his song. This is really amazing for me because not everyone will think to do such things. With that, people can see that sound of gamelan are not only used in official functions. I think Monoloque is the genius Composer. He knows what people now want to heard. The ideas in making music are so fresh and according to trend now. So with this, I believe our industry of music traditional will be more upbeat and not forgotten young people.

  Next, to maintain and uphold the traditional Malay music art especially among the younger generation, efforts must be initiated early, for example, at primary level so that the desire can be achieved effectively. The Ministry of Education, for example, should introduce the traditional Malay music in Musical subjects or at least in co-curricular activities at national schools. Musical subject teaching in schools should not focus on modern music alone, but it is time for traditional Malay music to be taken seriously. The approach is very important to ensure that traditional Malay music is not only extinct, but it is also able to continue its survival in tandem with the rapid evolution of Western music that has now hit. If Tamil-Chinese or Chinese-style schools find much emphasis on the arts and cultural aspects of their respective races, the majority of schools in the Malay nation should also be left behind in the matter. Music is an essential element that must be emphasized in addition to the History and Literature subjects, where it is able to build thought, identity and awareness about the fate of the struggle of the Malays. During this time, traditional Malay music seemed to be less noticeable at earlier levels. Otherwise it is more significant at the level of study at public institutions of higher learning (IPTA). As we can see, there are also the most talented lecturer that are trying hard to introduce our traditional music to our young generations in school. Kamrul Hussein or more familiar we call it “Cik kam” is one of lecturer that are expose to our younger people about traditional music in school. Mohd. Kamrulbahri has been teaching and lectured many places such the National Arts Academy of Malaysia (Akademi Seni Kebangsaan) A.S.K or ASWARA (2001-2008), the National University of Malaysia (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia-UKM- 1997-2003), University Of Malaya (U.M), University of Technology Mara (U.i.T.M), University Of Putra Malaysia-UPM, The International College Of Music-ICOM, Sunway University College (2009), full time Contract base lecturer at Music Faculty, Akademi Seni Budaya Dan Warisan Kebangsaan (ASWARA) 2008-2012. Distinguished Creative Scholar at the Faculty of Music, University Technology MARA (UiTM) 2012-2014. He really hope that our generation are not forget our culture music and hopping they are more musician in tradition were born.

In order to achieve the syllabus of Malay Traditional Music subjects at the school, the Ministry of Education may work with the Ministry of Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage to achieve that goal. Application of artistic and cultural values base on through the teaching of traditional music at the children's stage may warn them of their origins as well as forming their identity when they become adults. Traditional music lessons that are leisurely taught are among the channels that are easy to live with by the children as well as being able to apply side-by-side elements such as Malay language and customs. The fragility of the identity and weaknesses of the Malays at the present time, among others, is due to the lack of application of cultural values and Islamic teachings as fortresses and practices in daily life.

Hence, the inclusion of traditional Malay musical elements at the early stages of the school will hopefully contribute to maintaining the identity and identity of the nation to be more competitive in the future. When our young generation has been expose in traditional music so our industry music will be more developing. After that, to preserve our Traditional music the government have to creating more broadcasts on television about traditional music. As we can see the people are most often watch television to entertain themselves. The influence on television can attract attention people. So with that we can show audience about our culture music. The example shown on TV that we have right now is Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Berhad (STMB) or TV3 was established in 1983 as Malaysia's first private TV, and began broadcasting in the Klang Valley on June 1, 1984. With the presence of this TV station the music industry could grow further along with music programs such as Lagu Juara (1986) which until now became one of the recognized awards in the music industry. At present there are six stations of TV broadcaster and nearly 40 stations radio (including RTM stations) all of which provide a lot of opportunities and incentives which is strong for the development of the music industry in Malaysia. This is proved that we also can create channel on TV about our Traditional Music. So the young generation can watch and know about their traditional music. This same on what broadcasts on Indonesian do. One of example of show on TV attract people's attention this tradition music is Konsert Orkestra Tradisional Malaysia (OTM). seen as a catalyst for the Malaysian music revolution in the 21st century. It is based on various ethnic and ethnic music such as Malay, Chinese, Indian, Aboriginal, Sabah and Sarawak. The combination of this variety of music genres is hoped to be a platform to a new concept of Malaysian music in the coming century. 

Lastly, many origin has produced diverse traditional musical instruments, thus generating rich and complex music artistic heritage. Despite being culturally diverse, however, music has succeeded in establishing its own identity and highlighting the characteristics of equality that can be shared by various races across the country. So we can create a connecting between our traditional music Malaysia with all ASEAN. Musical instruments of membranophon, cordon, idiofon and erofon are played through a similar match, thus giving soul and aspiration towards the formation of a united nation within ASEAN member states. This are example concert that connecting with other country, The ASEAN Consonant Concert C held at Tengku Abdul Rahman, Matic, Kuala Lumpur for two days has recently been seen gaining the attention of local communities. This concert is a form of appreciation at the same time can be regarded as the uniformity and richness of the traditional culture, especially the music in ASEAN member countries. We can see that the traditional is really important and we have to make sure our generation know the tarditional sound. Cultural media, institutions and industries can also play a crucial role in ensuring the viability of traditional forms of performing arts by developing audiences and raising awareness amongst the general public. Audiences can be informed about the various aspects of a form of expression, allowing it to gain a new and broader popularity, while also promoting connoisseurship which, in turn, encourages interest in local variations of an art form and may result in active participation in the performance itself. Malaysia's Ministry of Tourism and Culture Secretary-General, Tan Sri Dr. Ong Hong Peng described the ASEAN Consulate C Concert as an initiative to combine experts from ASEAN member states through art and culture. "By featuring traditional musical instruments from the 10 ASEAN countries, this concert has basically promoted unique melodies from the respective country's musical traditions and most importantly showcase new talents among young ASEAN children," he said.

As conclusion, it important for us to keep the traditional music industry in Malaysia because Symbol of a national culture. There are many reason why our tradition music getting forgotten especially on our young generation. Many parties should play a role to ensure that these traditional music is not extinct. When we into in this traditional music we will be able to get new experiences and extensive knowledge. We can also see how it feels like to play traditional instrument in an ensemble. When played in Ensemble automatic you will discipline yourself and learn how communications between the teammate. I hope this Traditional music will keep continue to be seen by the upcoming generation so that our grandma will be more proud of us and they will be more appreciated.