Balungan

This corresponds to the view that gamelan music is heterophonic: the balungan is then the melody which is being elaborated.

The term has been a source of some controversy, as various writers may define it differently.

Lagu is a related term, which is used by Sumarsam and is sometimes translated as "inner melody.

The gatra (music) in a balungan have a distinctive pattern of notes and rests (pin), which are classified into several categories (given with an example in kepatihan notation): Different gendhing structures prefer certain types of gamelan.

The implications of motion and stasis are important in achieving the mood of a composition.