THE MUSIC OF THE FREE - THAILAND

MAPEH IIElaine Mae G. Esposo

CHARACTERISTICS OF THAI MUSIC:

1.There is no trace of Western influence in Thai traditional music because it is the only Southeast Asian country that has never been ruled by any Western nation.

2.Thai music is a product of Asian influence..

3.It has its own structure and form.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THAI MUSIC:

4. Thai music has a heterophonic texture.5. It is based on the seven-tone scale system where each tone is equidistant from each other.6. Traditional Thai music is written in 2/4time signature.

Two General Styles in Thai Music:I. Rhythmically simple with relatively neutral melodic lines.2. Lyrical with great rhythmic diversity.

P.M. 3 5 6 2 1 5 1

mi so la re do so do

1. I.3 3 5 5 6 6 2 2 1 1 5 5 1 1 mi mi so so la la re re do do so so do do 2.I. 3 3 5 5 6 2 1 5 5 1 mi mi so so la re do so so do

VOCAL MUSIC OF THAILAND

1.RITUAL SONGSThis form of music comes in two variations, the suod, and the thes.

SUOD – is the chanting of religious verses that is used to worship spiritual and supernatural beings.

THES – is a ritual song that is performed with improvisations and is learned by memory. It can be used in poetry reading, recitation, and speech.

2. ENTERTAINMENT SONGS

This group of songs is basically secular & is used to tell stories about customs & traditions. The singer renders the stories impressively through spontaneity& the use of wit.

a. Phleng klomdek are nursery rhymes with an irregular rhythm.

b. Phleng bork are songs for male singers that tell about stories and news. The song is performed through leader-answer style.

c. Sebha – is a solo song that is popular in central Thailand. It has a fixed form of eight words per line.

d. He Ruea – is a boat song sung following the rhythm of the oarsmen.

e. Sangkhara – is originally a beggar’s music that has been adapted for the puppet play called Hun Krabork. Its songs and music were composed by a blind beggar named Sankhard during the period of Rama V.

e. Sangkhara – is originally a beggar’s music that has been adapted for the uppet play called Hun Krabork. Its songs and music were composed by a blind beggar named Sankhard during the period of Rama V.

THAILAND’S MUSICAL

INSTRUMENTS

A.IDIOPHONES> Ranat thum> Khawng wong lek> Khawng wong yai> ching chap

Ranat thumis a box-shaped metallophone that is placed on the floor and played while sitting. It has a range of two-and-a half octaves that is struck by a padded mallet.

Khwang wong lekis a set of gong circles with low pitched that are an octave lower than the khwang wong yai.

Khwang wong yaiis also a circle of gongs. It is the largest of all gongs in Thailand.

Ching chapis a set of persuccion instruments likened to a pair of cymbals.

B. MEMBRANOPHONES

> Taphon> Ramana> Thon romana

Taphonis a drum placed on a stand. It is played with both hands using the palms and fingers.

Ramanais a shallow drum that looks like a tambourine without the metallic discs.

Thon romanais a bowl-shaped ceramic drum that is used in the Mahori ensemble.

C. CHORDOPHONES

> Jakhae> Saw sam sai

The Jakhae is shaped like a crocodile. Its body is big and hollow in order to resonate the sound of the instrument better. This is Thailand’s most important stringed instrument with the most beautiful sound.

Saw Sam Sai resembles much the Japanese shamisen, but is triangular in shape with a spiked leg. The pitch of the string depends on the size of the coconut shell.

D. AERROPHONES

> Pi> Khaen

The pi is believed to be truly a Thai instrument used since the ancient times. It is usually played with percussion instruments.

Khaen is the most important folk instrument in north Thailand and in Laos. It is described to produce a drone that is often described as mournful and plaintive.