ABSTRACT
This thesis is titled “Technique Analysis of the Arrangement and Composition
of Three-Composition Garantung by Three Garantung Performers.” The study
investigated the arrangement and techniques of each of the compositions that were
used by the three performers. Specifically, this study examined the methods that they
used in generating arrangement and other aspects that led to differences and parallels
in their melody arrangement.In applying descriptive-analysis methodology, this study
achieves its purposes of describing Garantung performance techniques and analyzing
each performer’s composition and arrangement.
The performers were Marsius Sitohang, Sarikawan Sitohang and Amarista
Simarmata. The compositions under study were Hata Sopisik, Si Bunga Jambu, and
Panogu-nogu Horbo Tu Lahatan. The results demonstrate that there were parallels
and differences in how each of them organized composition and arrangement. These
results substantiate first of all that verbal tradition is well alive in Toba Batak culture.
Second of all, verbal tradition provides a Garantung performer with room to
improvise to own will – either to play similarly with or differently from the others.
Finally, this study shows that Garantung musicians do not see parallels and
differences as issues they should debate about how one should best perform; rather,
the parallels and differences they produce simply serve to enrich the music culture of
Toba Batak.
