The Existence of Traditional Music Among Teenagers

Lately, western music and K-pop have become popular among Indonesian teenagers. Teenagers are more interested in listening to music from Western countries than to traditional music. Not knowing it, finding it unappealing and thinking the music is old-fashioned are some of the reasons teenagers often give when asked why they are less interested in traditional music. This indicates a decline in teenagers' interest in traditional music, which could also lead to the extinction of traditional music in Indonesia. 

This lack of interest among teenagers has many causes, one of which is globalisation. Globalisation is  a social process in which geographical constraints on social and cultural arrangements become less important, and which takes shape in people's consciousness (Waters, 2004). With globalisation, things such as music can easily spread across the world without limits of place and time.

In Indonesia itself, globalisation is developing very rapidly, which of course affects the development of traditional music today. Globalisation makes it very easy for modern music from abroad to enter Indonesia. The younger generation is naturally more interested in modern music, which may suit the character of today's teenagers better. Many of them judge traditional music to be old-fashioned, not beautiful and unappealing. Indeed, they are often prouder of learning and mastering modern music than of learning traditional music. This great interest in western music is what causes teenagers' lack of interest in traditional music.

Besides the development of globalisation, the low interest of teenagers in traditional music is also caused by the government's lack of attention to preserving traditional music. The lack of appreciation for traditional music artists is one example of the government's lack of attention. Another example is the lack of financial support from the government for traditional music groups that wish to hold a traditional music performance. This lack of funds means such performances are held very rarely. Yet holding traditional music performances is a way to introduce and show everyone, especially teenagers, how beautiful traditional music is. Such performances also serve to protect and  preserve Indonesia's traditional music. Because these performances are rare, the existence of traditional music arts keeps declining, especially among teenagers.

The declining existence of traditional music and teenagers' lack of interest in it can lead to the extinction of traditional music in Indonesia. This must be prevented so that traditional music arts continue to be preserved.  It is very important to know that traditional music is one of the identities of the Indonesian nation. There are various kinds of traditional music from different regions that reflect the diversity of ethnic groups and cultures in Indonesia, such as keroncong music from Jakarta and krumpyung music from Yogyakarta.

Efforts must be made to preserve Indonesia's traditional music arts. The first effort that can be made  is  to introduce traditional music to teenagers. This introduction can be done by holding traditional music performances that are interesting and have creative themes adapted to the tastes of teenagers today, for example performances that add modern musical instruments to traditional music.

In addition, combining traditional and modern instruments is also an interesting idea, such as the blend of guitar and angklung in a traditional music performance. This can make the people watching, especially teenagers, curious about the traditional music being performed, so that they will find out about it and learn traditional music in more depth. These performances must be held regularly and openly so that teenagers are more motivated and made aware of the importance of preserving traditional music arts.

Furthermore, such music performances also give teenagers a way to take part in the programme regularly. If these regular performances continue to be held routinely, they will gradually become a habit, and at the same time an effort that makes it easier for teenagers to develop a sense of care and pride, as well as to raise their awareness of the importance of keeping traditional music alive. These performances should also be fully supported by the government. Government support can be implemented through funding and appreciation for traditional musicians. This appreciation can raise the musicians' enthusiasm because their work and efforts are highly valued.

Besides performances, traditional music can also be introduced through socialisation of traditional music arts to teenagers. This socialisation can be done by maximising arts and culture learning in schools. Teachers can introduce various music arts from different regions of Indonesia.  Such learning can broaden students' insight into traditional music and make them love traditional music arts more.

Another effort that can be made to preserve Indonesian music arts is to make the most of traditional music in the midst of society. The way is to always include traditional music in every event that is held. Traditional music performances at school arts shows and the use of traditional music to welcome guests in a region are examples of making the most of traditional music. In addition, traditional music performances must also be included in state events, such as at the G20 dinner in Bali not long ago. That performance was an effort to introduce to the world, and show, how unique and beautiful the traditional music of the Indonesian nation is.

As teenagers, we should keep protecting and developing traditional music as part of Indonesia's cultural wealth. . Traditional music with its uniqueness must always be preserved so that  the next generation can see, listen to and be proud of the many riches of Indonesian traditional music.

In this era of globalisation's onslaught, we must be able to sort the cultures that enter Indonesia. We may be interested in foreign music, but we must also realise that Indonesia has very beautiful music that deserves to keep being developed and its existence strengthened, so that it does not lose out to western music and K-pop, which currently dominate world music. Indonesia has a variety of traditional music that can be developed and introduced on the international stage.

https://m.harianmomentum.com/read/45097/news-detail-sample-post.html