Panjak Tunggal by Efiq Zulfiqar

PANJAK TUNGGAL :
Panjak Tunggal is the name of a musical performance concept that combines several elements of traditional music or Sundanese Karawitan which are packaged into a modern or contemporary form that is performed by only one person. In the music world, this concept is known as solo performance or another term is one man band.

Based on etymology, Panjak or Nayaga, Wiyaga or Pangrawit, is a musician who plays traditional musical instruments such as Gamelan, Kendang, Suling, Rebab and other waditra. Tunggal means one or alone. So the meaning of Panjak Tunggal is a traditional musician who plays several musical instruments to create a composition whose sound and tone are like those usually played together collectively.

The meaning and philosophy of this performance concept is to know our own identity according to the advantages and disadvantages that humans have as a gift from the Creator. The point is, before getting to know other people, we must first know ourselves, who we are, where we come from, what our good and bad sides are before judging others. Because every individual has abilities or potential that other individuals do not have. When we later enter society, we are ready to help, complement each other and share with each other to achieve a better, peaceful and harmonious life.

This Panjak Tunggal is not only tied to the elements of Sundanese Karawitan, but also other musical elements. Because we all know that Indonesia is a country rich in various arts and cultures inherited from our ancestors. It is even possible to include modern instruments and technology as supporting works to add nuance and musical color.

The creative process of this concept aims to develop and preserve regional arts and culture, especially Sundanese art, by following and adapting to the flow of technological developments.

The development of technology is so rapid. However, we hope that regional arts and culture in Indonesia will not become extinct. Therefore, one way to preserve and develop it is to follow and use technology wisely as an alternative in creating.

The equipment used in this work is:

Kacapi
Suling
MIDI Controller (AKAI MPK Mini & AKAI EWI 5000)
Computer/Laptop
Microphone
Mixer
Loop Pedal
Vocoder Pedal
Digital Delay

To explore the sound of traditional musical instruments such as gamelan, angklung, calung and others, I recorded several gamelan sounds known as sampling instruments.

Although this gamelan sampling is made digitally into MIDI format, I made the recording process as similar as possible to the original sound and then controlled using MIDI or a keyboard controller via a computer as a sound storage.

The results of the gamelan sampling are played through the Loop pedal into a musical composition, by layering or adding various motifs. So that the sound or voice produced becomes like a sound played by more than one person.

After the loop is formed, we can play other instruments such as the Flute, Rebab, vocals and others, we can even input a synthesiser to enrich the musical nuance.

Efiq Zulfiqar is a multi instrumentalist, composer, and graphic designer from Bandung, West Java - Indonesia. He has performed with Indonesian contemprary fusion bands like Krakatau, Jugala All Stars and Sambasunda.
Efiq has had highly successful tours to Indonesia, UK, Europe, Taiwan, Malaysia, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
His interest in music and arts began at an early age.

efiqzulfiqar.com