Ageng

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Ageng is the Javanese word for big in the formal, krama, style; the informal ngoko style is gede, which is sometimes used in English in the context below but less often. See Javanese politeness registers for an explanation.

It is used in Javanese gamelan to refer to the largest variety of a given instrument, especially the gong and kendhang (drum).

The gong ageng is used as to mark the largest phrases in the structure. In small structures, a gong suwukan, the smaller gong, is used for subphrases within this. In larger structures, only the gong ageng is used.

The kendhang ageng is used by itself in kendhang setunggal (setunggal meaning one), a style of playing used in larger structures. It is used with the smaller kendhang ketipung in kendhang kalih (kalih meaning two).