The Analysis of Tongkek (a Traditional Musical Instrument) in Pancor,

East Lombok

Yuspianal Imtihana, Muhammad Alfian Nur Khaira

aStudy Program of Drama, Dance and Music, Hamzanwadi University

Corresponding Author: iyuspianal@gmail.com

Abstract: Tongkek as a traditional musical instrument in Pancor is highly needed to be analyzed specifically for the
instrument produced by Mr. Salim. It is truly essential to find out how the process and the system of producing
this traditional instrument. Considering the nature of research and scale, this research used a qualitative
descriptive method. The subject of this research is Mr. Salim, as the producer of tongkek. The research finding
revealed that there are some factors needed to be considered in both process and the system of producing
tongkek. First, the producer is highly aware of the quality of bamboo including dried level and width.
Meanwhile, for the system, Mr. salim adjusted the tone for each instrument which is the same as western. As
a result, the finding of this research enables the player of tongkek, known as ‘sekahe’, to know more the
instrument as well as to gain a deep understanding about the essence of caring for this instrument thus the
player can use the instrument optimally. Besides, it is expected that this finding can encourage the producer of
tongkekto increase the quality of sound and tone of this musical instrument

Keywords Musical Intrument, Tongkek

Tongkek musical organology in Pancor Village, Selong District, East Lombok Regency, West Nusa
Tenggara Province, has an important role to play. Organology of musical instruments learns all physical
aspects, especially the physical aspects of a musical instrument.
Based on the results of observations conducted, it was found that there were not many people in
Pancor Village who could make tongkek musical instruments. Because making this instrument requires
good knowledge, skills and experience. Therefore, the members of tongkek music are very important
to know the organology of this tongkek musical instrument. Through the knowledge of the tongkek
organology, a tongkek music student will get to know tongkek instruments better and understand the
importance of caring for tongkek musical instruments wisely, so that the use of tongkek musical
instruments can be used optimally. In addition, it is expected that many new tongkek makers will
emerge.
The purpose of this study was to determine the organology of tongkek musical instruments in
Pancor Village which focused on the process of making and tuning the tongkek musical instrument.
The word organology is a formed word from the words 'organ' and 'logos', which means; organs or parts
which constitute unity in communium. Logos - Science. When freely translated the word organology
means science about tools in communal unity (Hendarto, 2011: 64). Organology. The science of musical
instruments, the study of musical instruments (not just organ musical instruments (Pono Banoe, 2003:
312).
Objectives Organology studies all aspects of the instrument, especially the physical aspects (with
a textual approach) about a tool, in this case a musical instrument or instrument. If in the study also
concerns contextual matters such as history, mythology, symbols and others, it is only a disappointment
of what is called organology studies (Hendarto, 2011: 64).

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 In addition to the objectives of the organology described above, the organology has a field that is
the object of organology study. According to Hendarto (2011: 64) the fields that are often the object of
organology studies are:
1. Material technology for these tools
2. Technology for the manufacture of these tools
3. Appropriate technology for these tools, and
4. Maintenance technology for these devices
In the Big Indonesian Dictionary (Ministry of National Education, 2008: 36) "the word tool is
interpreted: (i) the items used to do something; tooling; furniture). (ii) goods used to achieve a purpose.
"So, a tool is something that is used to do something with the aim of achieving a purpose.
Whereas in the Big Indonesian Dictionary (Ministry of National Education, 2008: 1057) "the word
music is interpreted: (i) the science or art of arranging sequential, combination, and temporal
relationships to produce composition (sound) that has unity and continuity; (ii) tone or voice arranged
in such a way that it contains rhythm, song, and harmony (especially those that use tools that can
produce those sounds). "So, Music is a composition of sound or tone that contains rhythm, song and
harmony which has unity and continuity. This a musical instrument is something that is used to produce
a sound or tone to form a composition that contains rhythm, song and harmony that has unity and
continuity.
Tongkek is one of the musical instruments that grow and develop among the people of Pancor. This
musical instrument is made of bamboo raw material. Amir (in Mutiarani and Paramantha 2014: 309)
said, "Tongkek is a long tube shaped musical instrument, made of bamboo which is cut in the segment
according to the needs of the resulting tone".

Method

The type of research used in this study is a qualitative descriptive method. Moleong (2016: 6)
Qualitative research is research that intends to understand the phenomenon of what is experienced by
the subject of research such as behavior, perception, motivation, actions and others. Holistically and by
way of description in the form of words and language, in a special natural context and by utilizing
various natural methods. Subjects in this study were tongkek craftsmen.

Data Collection

Data collection techniques used in this study are interviews, laboratory tests and documentation.
Examination of the validity of the data in this study using source triangulation. Triangulation is
checking data from various sources in various ways, and at various times (Sugiyono, 2016: 273).

Data Analysis
Data analysis techniques used consist of four stages, namely data collection (data collection), reduction
(data reduction), data display (data presentation), and Conclusion drawing / verification (conclusion
check and verification) (Sugiyono, 2014: 246).

Results and Discussion

Based on the results of the study, that tongkek musical instrument whose sound source is sourced
from the instrument itself (idiophone), and the main raw material is bamboo jamaq the local designation

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of Pancor or Bambu Ater (Gigantochloa atter (Hssk) Kurz ex Munro). Based on the types and
characteristics contained in the tongkek can be classified into the type of Idiophones that are struck
directly. Considering that the tongkek instrument was made using bamboo which was hit on the
resonator tube using a stick made using wood wrapped in rubber and beaten directly to produce sound.
To make tongkek musical instruments done for approximately 2-4 hours. Before searching for
basic ingredients, first prepare the tools that will be used to make tongkek. Work to make tongkek is a
job that requires high accuracy and skill to produce good quality tongkek.
Based on the results of the study that the tools used in making tongkek are preparations that must
be made earlier before making a tongkek musical instrument, because if the necessary tools and
materials are inadequate, then the manufacturing process will not be optimal.
To discuss the construction of tongkek, the author refers to the tongkek made by Amaq Salim.
Based on the results of the study, this instrument has parts that have their respective functions, including
(1) Tongkek body is the front of the tongkek musical instrument that functions as a place to hit the
tongkek when played, a good beating is done at the end of the Parkosan border between the sound tube
and Parkosan. The booster used to hit the tongkek is adjusted to the diameter and thickness of the
tongkek, usually the larger the diameter and thickness of the tongkek, the more rubber coil, the more
suitable coil is also very influential on the sound of the tongkek later. (2) Sound Tubes are the top part
of the tongkek which serves as a sound producer in tongkek musical instruments, and also the place to
hold hands when playing tongkek. When holding a tongkek try not to hold the tube part because this
can affect the sound of the tongkek coming out, simply by using the tip of the fingers of the left hand.
(3) Parkosan is the diameter of a partially cut bamboo which functions to make the tone on the tongkek
lower. (4) Ujung Tongkek is the end part of the tongkek which functions to make the pitch on the
tongkek higher.
Based on the results of the study explained that in two sets of tongkek musical instruments
consisting of 24 tongkek, has 12 tones, each of which has the same tone of two tones which includes
Sol Bewek, La Bewek, Do Tengek, Re Tengek, Mi Tengek, Sol Teng, Do Top, Top Re, Upper Mi,
Upper Sol and Upper La.
Based on the results of the research and measurements that have been made by the researcher, the
lower the tone on the tongkek the longer the size of the tongkek and the length of the tube, and vice
versa if the higher the pitch on the tongkek the shorter the size and the tongkek tube
The same tone on the tongkek does not have the same length, it is influenced by the diameter of
the bamboo and the depth of the Parkosan, and the length of the tube, the larger the diameter of the
bamboo, the deeper the parkosan. Tongkek does not have a fixed size standard, the size of the tongkek
depends on the manufacturer. Besides that the main factor determining the size of the tongkek is the
diameter and length of the available bamboo.
Tools are one of the important factors in making a general musical instrument especially on
tongkek instruments. In the Big Indonesian Dictionary (Ministry of National Education, 2008: 36) "the
word tool is interpreted: (i) the items used to do something; tooling; furniture). (ii) items used to achieve
a purpose. "So, a tool is something that is used to do something in order to achieve a purpose.
The tools used to make tongkek include blades that are used in three types, namely: Compound,
Beaver and knife. This tool is used to split and stretch the diameter of bamboo. The knife used must be
a sharp knife. To sharpen it, first sharpen it using a whetstone.
The squeeze is used to split the diameter of a large and thick bamboo. This is done because the
timpas has a larger size than the other blades and is very suitable for cutting large and thick diameter
bamboo.

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 Machetes are used to split the diameter of the bamboo which is not so wide and thick, this is so
that the bamboo does not break when split. knife serves to split bamboo which has a small diameter and
thin thickness and thinly thin the diameter of the bamboo that has been split and sharpen the tip of a
small diameter tongkek. Saws (geregoji). Serves as a bamboo plant cutter to be suitable pieces. The
saws used must be a sharp saws. To sharpen it, first sharpen it using a sharpener. hammer (Palu). Serves
as a bamboo book batter that is left after splittingcutting board. Serves as a cutting board so that the
tongkek does not break when cut and split. Sandpaper. The sandpaper used is sandpaper that is not too
rough to produce good smoothness. Sandpaper is used to smooth the tongkek before fernish (pelitur).
Thiner. Thiner functions as a fernish mixer. This mixing aims to make the varnish not too thick when
applied to the body of the tongkek, because if it is too thick it can affect the quality of the tongkek
sound. Vernis Politur. Vernis politur serves as a coating for tongkek musical instruments to be glossy
and resistant to termites. Coating is done on the tongkek body, it aims to make the color of the bamboo
come out and shiny and also coating by using varnish to protect the body of the tongkek from scratches
and termites. The brush functions as a tool for applying a mixture of Thiner and Politur Vernis to the
body of the tongkek. Basting should be done during the day so that the varnish on the body of the
tongkek dries quickly.
Based on the results of the research, the material used by the craftsmen in the process of making
tongkek is Treng Jamaq or in Latin, bamboo Ater (Gigantochloa atter (Hassk) Kurz ex Munro.)
Before making a tongkek, the first thing to do is to look for the basic ingredients (Tereng Jamaq),
where the search was conducted at the bamboo seller located in East Lombok, the bamboo sought was
bamboo that was old and had a good level of drought. A good bamboo is naturally old bamboo, meaning
that when cut down on the tree bamboo is old. For a set of tongkek usually requires 3-4 bamboo sticks.
After the bamboo plant raw material is obtained then the bamboo plant is cut by leaving one
bamboo segment, there is no size for cutting but only estimates the diameter will be suitable for any
tone. From the base of the tip to the top of the bamboo, not all of them can be used, usually from the
base of the cut, 5-7 pieces of bamboo are not used, usually used bamboo that has a thickness of not
more than 1 cm and not less than 0.4cm. In addition, a straight bamboo that has a long segment is also
chosen. The higher the tone you want to make, the smaller the diameter of the bamboo. The larger the
diameter or the longer the bamboo plant, the lower the tone that can be produced and conversely the
smaller the diameter of the bamboo or the shorter the bamboo, the higher the pitch that can be produced.
After the bamboo plant is cut, then the bamboo plant is split (Parkos) half of the diameter of the
bamboo, leaving half of the base of the bamboo segment as a tube, the search for this buzz is done by
cutting it gradually from the bottom to the top until the buzzing sounds out. There is no fixed size for
the length of the tube the longer the tube, the lower the tone on the tongkek and the shorter the tube in
the barrel, the pitch of the tongkek is higher.
The fourth stage is to post the tongkek. Quitting in Indonesian means tuning or tuning. After the
tongkek is cut into several parts and produces a hum, then the tone is searched by cutting or sharpening
the bottom of the tongkek to raise the tone, while lowering the tone by moving deeper into the diameter
of the bamboo.
After two sets of tongkek musical instruments were finished and the tongkek body was sanded
using fine sandpaper, the sanding was intended to make the tongkek instrument body smooth while the
fernish functioned as a coating of the instrument to protect it from scratches and one of the preservation
methods to avoid termites. Besides that coating using varnish aims to make the color of bamboo come
out and look attractive. The part covered by the fernish is the outer part of the bamboo. After that the
tongkek is aerated to dry.

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 The booster or tongkek beater is made of wood which is shaped like a stick in accordance with the
size of the tongkek and wrapped in rubber, the larger the diameter and thickness of the tongkek, the
larger the diameter of the wood and the thicker rubber coil. The tools used to make a booster such as
Gregaji which functions as a wood cutter into suitable pieces, glue serves as a rubber adhesive when
plucking rubber on wood and when making enjors, and Scissors that function as tire cutters and wool
threads.
The materials for making pemokok include scout sticks and drum sticks for the use of these raw
materials because they are more practical and easy to find. The wood is cut 20-25 cm long and 10-12
cm wrapped in rubber, the remaining unused tires as rubber sticks in addition to being easily obtained
Salim also does not incur costs to get it because a lot of it is dumped in workshops around Pancor, wool
yarn functions as the ingredients for making enjo-enjor or decoration on the tip of the booster, usually
the wool yarn used has two different colors.
After the material is found the wood is cut and shaped as comfortable as possible to be held by the
hand, the length is adjusted to the distance of the hand grip with the tongkek. After the wood is cut, the
rubber is cut to length so that it can be wrapped around the bamboo. After that the rubber is wrapped
starting from the wood little by little while being glued one by one twist, the thickness of the winding
thickness is adjusted to the level of the diameter of the bamboo and the thickness level is larger and
thicker the diameter of the bamboo. After the rubber is wrapped around the wood, then the wool yarn
is cut to the size of 10 cm with the color adjusted according to taste, usually consisting of two or three
colors, this instrument serves as a decorator.
Pelarasan in the local language Pancor is called Poutan. The barrel is the frequency regulation
system and interfering with the notes (Hendarto, 20011: 137). Based on the results of the study, it is
explained that after the tongkek is cut into several parts and produces a hum, then the tone is searched
by cutting or sharpening the bottom of the tongkek to raise the tone, while lowering the tone by moving
deeper into the diameter of the bamboo.
Tongkek is usually played by 24 tongkek players with two Rencek and one drum. The alignment
system on tongkek instruments uses a 5 (five) tone or Pentatonic tuning system, Slendro. Based on the
results of the study, there are five tones on the tongkek consisting of 24 instruments which include Sol
Bewek, La Bewek, Do Tengek, Re Tengek Mi Tengek, Sol Tengek, La Tengek, Do up, Re Up, Top Mi,
Top Sol, and La Top. Bewek means bottom, Tengek means middle and Upper means High. The stages
in posting tongkek are as follows:
Based on the results of the research the first thing to do when cutting a tongkek is to cut a portion
of the diameter of the bamboo, to produce a tube, the lower the tone you want to make, the length of
the bamboo cut and the tube made longer, the search for this hum is done gradually cutting the diameter
bamboo continues upwards until the bamboo sounds loudly.
The tone is lowered by trimming the diameter of the bamboo further, the deeper the diameter of
the bamboo is, the lower the tone on the tongkek, if you want to make a lower tongkek sound you should
gently wipe the diameter of the bamboo that has been cut little by little until it reaches the desired sound.
Raising the tone on the tongkek is done by cutting the tip of the tongkek, if you want to make the
tongkek sound higher, you should slowly grind the tip of the tongkek until it reaches the desired sound.
If at the time of lowering the tone or raising the pitch of the tongkek to not come out or not buzzing
then the thing to do is to re-trim the tube much more slowly until the hum is out.

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Conclusion
In the process of making tongkek musical instruments, the most important thing is the quality of the
tools and materials used to make tongkek. During the process of making tongkek the craftsmen still use
their power and expertise, starting from the selection of raw materials, as well as tools to support the
quality of tongkek. The craftsmen are very diligent in determining the sound quality and durability of
their homemade tongkek.
The tongkek tuning process was carried out by 5 tones that aligned Selendro consisting of 24
instruments. In the process of tuning the first thing the craftsman does is to look for a buzz by making
a sound tube and then adjusting the tones he wants. This process is carried out starting from the lowest
tone to the highest tone. Sound quality is supported by the quality of raw materials

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