26/07/2020 Music of Malaysia - Wikipedia

Music of Malaysia
Music of Malaysia is the generic term for music that has been created in various genres in
Malaysia. A great variety of genres in Malaysian music reflects the specific cultural groups within
multiethnic Malaysian society: Malay, Chinese, Indian, Dayak, Kadazan-Dusun, Bajau, Orang Asli,
Melanau, Kristang and others.

In general, music of Malaysia may be categorised as classical, folk, syncretic (or acculturated music),
popular and contemporary art music. Classical and folk music emerged during the pre-colonial period
and exists in the form of vocal, dance and theatrical music such as Nobat, Mak Yong, Mak Inang,
Dikir barat, Ulek mayang and Menora. The syncretic music developed during the post-Portuguese
period (16th century) and contains elements from both local music and foreign elements of Arabian,
Persian, Indian, Chinese and Western musical and theatrical sources. Among genres of this music are
Zapin, Ghazal, Dondang Sayang, Mata-kantiga, Joget, Jikey, Boria and Bangsawan.[1]

Both Malaysian popular music and contemporary art music are essentially Western-based music
combined with some local elements. In 1950s, the musician P. Ramlee helped in creating a Malaysian
music that combined folks songs with Western dance rhythms and western Asian music.[2]

Contents
Ethnic traditions
Malay music
Chinese music
Indian music
Indigenous tribal music
World music
Classical music
Fusion music
Pop
Hip Hop
Rock
Other music genres represented in Malaysia
See also
References
External links

Ethnic traditions
Besides Malay music, Chinese and Indian Malaysians have their own forms of music, and the
indigenous tribes of Peninsula and East Malaysia have unique traditional instruments.[3]

Malay music

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Malaysia 1/8
26/07/2020 Music of Malaysia - Wikipedia

Traditional Malay music spans from music for various theatrical forms such as wayang kulit,
bangsawan and dance dramas as well as story-telling, to folk songs and music for dances, royal
ceremonies, martial arts (silat), life cycle events, and religious occasions.[4] Many forms of traditional
Malay music and performing arts appear to have originated in the Kelantan-Pattani region with
influence from India, China, Thailand and Indonesia. The music is based around percussion
instruments, the most important of which is the gendang (drum). There are at least 14 types of
traditional drums, including kompang and hadrah drums.[5] Drums and other traditional percussion
instruments are often made from natural materials.[5] Besides drums, other percussion instruments
(some made of shells) include: the rebab (a bowed string instrument), the serunai (a double-reed
oboe-like instrument), the seruling (flute), and trumpets. Music is traditionally used for storytelling,
celebrating life-cycle events, and times like harvest.[4] It was once used as a form of long-distance
communication.[5]

In East Malaysia, gong-based musical ensemble such as agung and kulintang are commonly used in
ceremonies such as funerals and weddings.[6] These ensembles are also common in neighbouring
regions such as in the southern Philippines, Kalimantan in Indonesia and Brunei.[6]

The Malays of Kelantan and Terengganu are culturally linked to

peoples from the South China Sea area, and are quite different
from the West Coast of Malaya. The martial art of silat Melayu
developed in the Malay peninsula since the beginning of common
era[7][8][9][10] also popular in Malaysia, while essentially still
important as a branch of the self-defence form. Similar to t'ai chi,
though of independent origin, it is a mix of martial arts, dance
and music typically accompanied by gongs, drums and Indian
oboes.
Malays playing gongs
The natives of the Malay Peninsula played in small ensembles
called kertok, which performed swift and rhythmic xylophone
music. This may have led to the development of dikir barat. In
recent years, the Malaysian government has promoted this Kelantanese music form as a national
cultural icon.[11]

Johor art performances such as Zapin and Hamdolok as well as musical instruments including
Gambus and Samrah have apparent Arab and Persian influences.[12] Arabic-derived zapin music and
dance is popular throughout Malaysia, and is usually accompanied by a gambus and some drums.
Ghazals from Arabia are popular in the markets and malls of Kuala Lumpur and Johor, and stars like
Kamariah Noor are very successful. In Malacca, ronggeng is the dominant form of folk music. It
played with a violin, drums, guitar, bass, synthesizer, button accordion and a gong instrument.
Another style, Dondang Sayang is slow and intense; it mixes influences from China, India, Arabia, and
Portugal with traditional elements.

Chinese music

The Hua Yue Tuan ( 华 乐 团 ), or "Chinese orchestra," is made up of traditional Chinese musical
instruments and some Western instruments. The music itself combines western polyphony with
Chinese melodies and scales. Although the bulk of its repertoire consists of music originated from
Hong Kong, Taiwan and China, many local Chinese orchestras also regularly perform Malay folk
tunes with various local composers making a definite effort to absorb elements of surrounding
musical cultures, especially Malay, into their compositions. In Malaysia, Chinese orchestras exist
nationwide in urban areas which have large concentrations of Chinese Malaysians. Sponsored largely
by various Chinese organisations including schools, clan associations and Buddhist societies, a typical
orchestra consists of between 12 and 50 members. The orchestra is usually made up of four sections:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Malaysia 2/8
26/07/2020 Music of Malaysia - Wikipedia

bowed string instruments, plucked strings, the wind section, and percussion. Also commonly found
are percussion troupes with drums, gongs and cymbals that provide rhythm for performances of Lion
Dance.

There is no lack of virtuoso performers in the Chinese classical tradition in Malaysia. Advanced
training is however not presently available with most Malaysian virtuoso musicians obtaining their
advanced training either in China or Singapore. Various professional and semi-professional Chinese
orchestras are in existence. Malaysian western trained classical conductors are employed full-time.
Much of the music played is imported from China. There are however some accomplished Malaysian
composers for this medium such as Saw Boon Kiat and Chew Hee Chiat.

There has been a local Malaysian Chinese recording industries since the 1960s with generations of
Chinese singers involved in Mandopop music. In the 1960s singers such as Poon Sow Keng (潘秀瓊)
achieved notable success in the region,[13] and in the 1970s and 80s, Malaysian Chinese pop singers
such as Wong Shiau Chuen, Lan Yin, Donny Yap, and Lee Yee were popular.[14] In more recent times,
popular singers include Eric Moo, Lee Sin Je, Fish Leong, Z Chen, Penny Tai and Daniel Lee.

Indian music

Traditional Indian music may be associated with religious tradition and faith. As its origins in India,
there are two systems of traditional or classical Indian music in Malaysia: Carnatic music and
Hindustani music. Since Tamils from South India are the predominant group among the Indian
population in Malaysia, it is the South Indian Carnatic music which predominates. Simply speaking,
Hindustani classical music is more lyric-oriented, while Carnatic classical music emphasises musical
structure.

Indian classical music as it is performed in Malaysia has remained true to its origin. There is
practically no other cultural influence. Other than reflecting Indian life, the purpose of Indian
classical music is to refine the soul.

The fundamental elements of Carnatic music are the raga and the tala. A raga is a scale of notes,
while the tala is the time-measure. A Carnatic music concert usually starts with a composition with
lyrical and passages in a particular raga. This will be followed by a few major and subsequently some
minor compositions.

In Malaysia, traditional and classical Indian music are studied and performed by Malaysians of Indian
ethnic origin with material that still comes from India. Musical productions are mainly in the form of
dance dramas incorporating instrumental ensemble, vocal music and dance. Musical instruments
used in the performances are imported from India.

Over the years, Punjabi music has established itself in Malaysia. One example of famous Punjabi
music is bhangra. Many Malaysian songs today have the Punjabi influence. For example, the sound of
the dhol, an instrument used mainly by the Punjabis, has been incorporated in many Malay, Chinese
and Indian songs in Malaysia.

Indigenous tribal music

The Orang Asli groups of West Malaysia, Semang, Senoi, and Orang Melayu Asli, have their own
musical traditions. The Semang people are nomadic and their musical instruments are disposable and
created when needed, and instruments used include nose flute (salet, nabad), Jew's harp and tube
zither (kərɑtuŋ) which are also used by the Senoi. Instruments used by the Senoi are more long-
lasting and include kərəb (a two-string chordophone). The Orang Melayu Asli however have closer
contact with Malay and Chinese populations and used a wider range of musical instruments ranging

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Malaysia 3/8
26/07/2020 Music of Malaysia - Wikipedia

from thigh xylophone (kongkong) to violin. The instruments may

be used for shamanistic purposes such as singing and trance-
dancing ceremonies, and healing rituals.[15]

A number of ethnic groups such as the various Dayak tribes (e.g.

Iban, Murut), Kadazan, and Bajau are found in Sabah and
Sarawak. The music of these people include vocal music for epics
and narratives; songs for life-cycle events and rituals associated
with religion, healing, growing rice, hunting game, and waging
war; songs for dancing and community entertainment; as well as
Two Dayak tribesmen playing
a wide variety of instrumental music. Instruments used include
Sapeh in Sarawak
drums, gongs, flutes, zithers, xylophones, and Jew's harps, of
which the bronze gongs are the most significant. Ensembles of
gongs of various sizes are played to welcome guests and in
ceremonies and dances. A well-known instrument in Sarawak is the sapeh, a plucked lute of the
Kayan and Kenyah people which is used for entertainment and dancing. Other instruments include
the xylophone jatung utang, bamboo flutes (suling, seruling, kesuling, ensuling, and nabat), and sets
of bamboo tubes called togunggak which were formerly played in headhunting ceremonies of the
Murut.[16]

World music

Ethnic music has also found a new and vigorous following, with world music festivals like the
Rainforest World Music Festival, held annually since 1998 in a scenic open-air setting in Sarawak.
The first Malaysian "ethnic fusion" group to play on this international platform was Akar Umbi -
comprising Temuan ceremonial singer Minah Angong (1930–1999), Antares and Rafique Rashid.
Unfortunately, the charismatic Minah Angong (better known as Mak Minah) died just three weeks
after winning over the hearts of a whole new audience at the RWMF 1999. This left Akar Umbi with
only one posthumously released CD to its name ('Songs of the Dragon,' Magick River, 2002).

Private companies like Trident Entertainment have begun to invest in the production, distribution
and promotion of the "ethnic fringe" in Malaysian music.

Classical music
Within Malaysia, the largest performing arts venue is the Petronas Philharmonic Hall. The resident
orchestra is the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO).[17] Malay popular music is a combination
of the music from all ethnicities in the country.[3] The Malaysian government has taken steps in
controlling what music is available in Malaysia; rap music has been criticised,[18] heavy metal has
been limited,[19] and foreign bands must submit a copy of a recent concert before playing in
Malaysia.[20] It is believed that this music is a bad influence on youth.[19]

Fusion music

In the field of Malaysian contemporary music a number of composers have gained international
recognition, for example award-winning composers Chong Kee Yong, Dr Tazul Izan Tajuddin, Yii Kah
Hoe, Saidah Rastam, Adeline Wong and others, encompassing a diverse range of styles and aesthetics.

Pop

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Malaysia 4/8
26/07/2020 Music of Malaysia - Wikipedia

Malaysia's pop music scene developed from traditional social dance and entertainment music such as
asli, inang, joget, dondang sayang, zapin and masri, which were adapted to Anglo-American dance
band arrangement by Bangsawan troupes in the 1920s and 1930s.[21] The Bangsawan troupes are in
fact a type of Malaysian opera influenced by Indian opera at first known as Wayang Parsi (Persia)
which was started by rich Persians residing in India. They portrayed stories from diverse groups such
as Indian, Western, Islamic, Chinese, Indonesian and Malay. Music, dance, and acting with costumes
are used in performance depending on the stories told. The musicians were mostly local Malays,
Filipinos and Guanis (descendants from Goa in India).

One of the earliest modern Malay pop songs was "Tudung Periok", sung by Momo Latif, who recorded
it in 1930. In the 1950s, P. Ramlee became the most popular Malay singer and composer with a range
of slow ballads such as "Azizah", "Dendang Perantau" and the evergreen "Di Mana Kan Ku Cari
Ganti".

In the 1960s, a genre of pop music influenced by The Beatles and other British rock and roll bands
called 'Pop Yeh-yeh' appeared in Malaysia. The term "pop yeh-yeh" was taken from a line from the
popular Beatles song, "She Loves You" ("she loves you, yeah-yeah-yeah").[22] In the 1960s and 1970s,
a modified rock combo called kugiran (an abbreviation of "kumpulan gitar rancak", meaning rhythmic
guitar bands) was also common, and was often used to accompany singers.[23]

In the mid-1990s, Dangdut experienced a resurgence after lying dormant since the early 1980s with
the debut of Amelina. Her least successful album sold in the 100,000s, a feat that is yet to be repeated
in the 2010s. Composer Ruslan Mamat [1] (http://lanmamat.blogspot.com/), who pioneered the
modern Dangdut, credited Ace of Base for the tempo reference.[24]

Contemporary pop music exchanges between Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei are normal
since the Malay language is widely spoken in all four countries.

Hip Hop
KRU is the most successful Hip Hop dance group in Malaysia. After bringing Rap music to the masses
in 1982, they established their own record label creating the first Malaysian girl group Feminin and
R&B crooners Indigo. Feminin debuted at RTM Eid ul-Fitr special in 1993 marking the start of the
80s girls group era.

SonaOne is a Malaysian rapper with notable songs like "I don't care" and "No More"

Rock
Malaysian rock reached its peak in the 80s and early 90s with the local adaptation of a fusion of blues
rock and ballad. The popularity even reached the neighbouring country of Indonesia.

Awie is an award winning Malaysian rock singer. Awie was extremely popular in 1990s

Other music genres represented in Malaysia

Indie rock
Modern rock
Punk rock
Pop punk
Ska punk
Ska
Metal
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Malaysia 5/8
26/07/2020 Music of Malaysia - Wikipedia

Nu metal
Death metal
Experimental
Emo
Electronica
Power pop
Hardcore punk
Alternative
Gothic Metal
Reggae
Funk
Industrial

See also
Anugerah Industri Muzik
Anugerah Juara Lagu
Recording Industry Association of Malaysia

References
1. Patricia Ann Matusky, Sooi Beng Tan, ed. (2004). The Music of Malaysia: The Classical, Folk, and
Syncretic Traditions (https://archive.org/details/musicofmalaysiac0000matu). Ashgate Publishing
Limited. pp. 6 (https://archive.org/details/musicofmalaysiac0000matu/page/6)–7. ISBN 978-
0754608318.
2. World and Its Peoples: Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Brunei. New York: Marshall
Cavendish Corporation. 2008. p. 1220.
3. Marshall Cavendish Corporation (2008). World and Its Peoples: Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore,
and Brunei (https://books.google.com/books?id=72VwCFtYHCgC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepag
e&q&f=false). New York: Marshall Cavendish Corporation. pp. 1218–1222. ISBN 9780761476429.
4. Miller, Terry E.; Williams, Sean (2008). The Garland handbook of Southeast Asian music (https://b
ooks.google.co.uk/books?id=Z8OSAgAAQBAJ&pg=222#v=onepage&q&f=false). New York:
Taylor and Francis Group. pp. 223–224. ISBN 0-203-93144-0.
5. Asiapac Editorial (2003). Gateway to Malay culture (https://books.google.com/books?id=1qIhB0I3
Pq0C&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false). Singapore: Asiapac Books Ptd Ltd. p. 110.
ISBN 981-229-326-4.
6. Patricia Ann Matusky, Sooi Beng Tan (2004), The Music of Malaysia: The Classical, Folk, and
Syncretic Traditions (https://books.google.com/books?id=x06nBdEkAOMC&lpg=PP1&pg=PP1#v=
onepage&q&f=false), Ashgate Publishing. Ltd., pp. 177–187, ISBN 9780754608318, retrieved
1 November 2010
7. Thesis: Seni Silat Melayu by Abd Rahman Ismail (USM 2005 matter 188)
8. James Alexander (2006). Malaysia Brunei & Singapore. New Holland Publishers. pp. 225, 51, 52.
ISBN 1-86011-309-5.
9. Abd. Rahman Ismail (2008). Seni Silat Melayu: Sejarah, Perkembangan dan Budaya. Kuala
Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. p. 188. ISBN 978-983-62-9934-5.
10. "Black Belt" (https://books.google.com/?id=FNIDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA73#v=onepage&q&f=false).
Rainbow Publications. Michael James. October 1994: 73.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Malaysia 6/8
26/07/2020 Music of Malaysia - Wikipedia

11. Malaysian Ministry of Information Portal. "National Dikir Barat Competition To Be Expanded Next
Year" (http://www.moi.gov.my/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=641&Itemid=109%2
5C3%25A2%25C5%2592%25C2%25A9&lang=en) Archived (https://archive.is/20090206171037/
http://www.moi.gov.my/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=641&Itemid=109〈&lan
g=en) 6 February 2009 at Archive.today, 2006. Retrieved on 30 January 2009.
12. Folk dance with religious origin, 14 April 2005, Peggy Loh, Travel Times, New Straits Times
13. Craig A. Lockard (1998). Dance of Life: Popular Music and Politics in Southeast Asia (https://archi
ve.org/details/danceoflifepopul00lock_0). University of Hawai'i Press. pp. 224 (https://archive.org/
details/danceoflifepopul00lock_0/page/224)–225. ISBN 978-0824819187.
14. Craig A. Lockard (1998). Dance of Life: Popular Music and Politics in Southeast Asia (https://archi
ve.org/details/danceoflifepopul00lock_0). University of Hawai'i Press. pp. 227 (https://archive.org/
details/danceoflifepopul00lock_0/page/227). ISBN 978-0-8248-1918-7.
15. Roseman, Marina; Oesch, Hans (2008). The Garland handbook of Southeast Asian music (https://
books.google.co.uk/books?id=Z8OSAgAAQBAJ&pg=320#v=onepage&q&f=false). New York:
Taylor and Francis Group. pp. 317–325. ISBN 0-203-93144-0.
16. Matusky, Patricia (2008). The Garland handbook of Southeast Asian music (https://books.google.c
o.uk/books?id=Z8OSAgAAQBAJ&pg=320#v=onepage&q&f=false). New York: Taylor and Francis
Group. pp. 406–414. ISBN 0-203-93144-0.
17. "Meet the MPO" (https://web.archive.org/web/20070828210827/http://www.malaysianphilharmoni
c.com/orc_members.php). Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. Archived from the original (http://w
ww.malaysianphilharmonic.com/orc_members.php) on 28 August 2007. Retrieved 11 December
2007.
18. "Mahathir raps rap" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1178773.stm). BBC News. 19 February
2001. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
19. "Malaysia curbs heavy metal music" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1473198.stm). BBC
News. 4 August 2001. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
20. "Malaysia's foreign band crack down" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1464904.stm).
BBC News. 30 July 2001. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
21. Patricia Ann Matusky, Sooi Beng Tan, ed. (2004). The Music of Malaysia: The Classical, Folk, and
Syncretic Traditions (https://archive.org/details/musicofmalaysiac0000matu). Ashgate Publishing
Limited. p. 403 (https://archive.org/details/musicofmalaysiac0000matu/page/403). ISBN 978-
0754608318.
22. Tom Schnabel (26 March 2013). "Pop Yeh Yeh, 1960s Music from Singapore and Malaysia" (htt
p://www.theworld.org/2013/03/pop-yeh-yeh-singapore-malaysia/). PRI's The World.
23. Patricia Matusky and James Chopyak. "Peninsular Malaysia". In Terry Miller; Sean Williams
(eds.). The Garland Handbook of Southeast Asian Music. Routledge. ISBN 978-0415960755.
24. Nielsen Business Media, Inc (18 April 1998). Dangdut Thrives in SE Asia (https://books.google.co
m/books?id=mQ4EAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA7&pg=PA7#v=onepage&q&f=false). Billboard.
Munan, Heidi. "Music at the Crossroads". 2000. In Broughton, Simon and Ellingham, Mark with
McConnachie, James and Duane, Orla (Ed.), World Music, Vol. 2: Latin & North America,
Caribbean, India, Asia and Pacific, pp 175–182. Rough Guides Ltd, Penguin Books. ISBN 1-
85828-636-0.

External links
The traditional music of Malaysia (http://www.istov.de/htmls/malaysia/malaysia_start.html)
Malaysian Composers' Homepage (http://www.malaysiancomposers.com)
WWW.MALAYAPARK.COM - Malaysian Underground Community Resources (http://www.malaya
park.com)
JamTank.com Indie Musicians & Fans Collective (http://www.jamtank.com)

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Music_of_Malaysia&oldid=965872870"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Malaysia 7/8
26/07/2020 Music of Malaysia - Wikipedia

This page was last edited on 3 July 2020, at 22:26 (UTC).

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this
site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia
Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Malaysia 8/8