Kotekan: the technique of interlocking parts in Balinese music

This article examines kotekan, the interlocking technique central to Balinese gong kebyar. Vitale describes how rapid figurations played by gangsa, reong, and kendang create the impression of machine-like speed while relying on precise rhythmic synchronization among musicians. The essay situates kotekan as a modern development that arose with the emergence of kebyar style in the early twentieth century, when older gamelan ensembles were transformed and new playing methods were introduced. Through detailed explanation of the instruments and performance practices, the article highlights kotekan as both a technical and aesthetic hallmark of Balinese gamelan.