Music in the earlier Bangsawan groups consisted of harmonium and tabla, which were also being used by the Persian Theatre. When Bangsawan experienced growth, these musical instruments and musicians also increased in number.

 

By the 1930s, Bangsawan orchestras were equipped with strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion instruments. For example:

1. String instruments: violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar, etc.

2. Brass instruments: cornet, trumpet, trombone, etc.

3. Woodwind instruments: clarinet, flute, etc.

4. Percussion instruments: drum, maracas, harmonium, accordion, tabla, tambourine, rebana,  piano, etc. 

 

This increase in the number of musical instruments is because the format of Bangsawan performances has undergone changes. Dance and story variety, songs with different rhythms, audience’s taste, influence of the west, different extra turns are the factors that caused the change in Bangsawan's performance format.


Musicians
Musicians


Drums set
Drums set

Keyboard
Keyboard

Example of string instruments
Example of string instruments