We think that it is really important not to wear shoes while playing the instruments. Here are some of the reasons

• The gamelan instruments are mostly very low to the floor, designed to be played from a sitting position on the floor. A chair is too high to play the instruments comfortably. We sit directly on the floor or on a small cushion. We rehearse in a nice space where the instruments are set up all the time. There is a carpet on the floor which feels good to sit on, and helps soften the sound a little.  So we take off our shoes to keep the carpet, and the room as clean as possible.

• If you have ever tried sitting cross legged (yoga style) for over an hour or more with trainers, boots, or shoes on, you soon come to the conclusion that you are more or less sitting on your own shoes. It is not too comfortable. It is much more comfortable to sit cross legged without shoes. The feet just feel better.

• Many Indonesians believe that the gamelan is sacred and has supernatural power. Incense and flowers are often offered to the gamelan. Gamelan musicians take off their shoes when they play the gamelan to show their respect to the spirits, which is is believed to guide the instruments. It is also forbidden to step over any instrument in a gamelan to avoid offending the spirit of the instrument.