Most beginners start by learn a lancaran. This form is determined by the pattern of gongs, kempuls, ketuk and Kenongs pver which is played the main tune, called a balungan or skeleton A drumming paten keeps the time.. P = dhung
d = dah

+ ketuk  O gong v kempul
( ) sumukang ^ Kenong

Line 1
 
+.+^+V+^+V+^+V+()
6  5   6   1   6  5   3  2
pp ppp p p p  d pp pd p p

Line 2

+.+^+V+^+V+^+V+O
3    2  3  5   2  3   2   1

The bonangs, play at the same time as the ketuk anticipating the fourth note before the balungan has played the first.