Traditional Musical Instruments of Thailand
The traditional musical instruments of Thailand are unique to its people and its culture, and continue to be used today in the country’s regional festivals and artistic performances. Many of the instruments were used in ancient Thailand, with over fifty types developed during the Ayutthaya kingdom of Siam from 1351 to 1767.
The Traditional Musical Instruments of Thailand
There are three main types of instruments: wind, string, and percussion. Many of the instruments come in different sizes for variety in pitch and tone. The instruments are constructed from wood, metal, or leather and musicians play them by plucking, bowing, striking or blowing. The following describes some of the most popular and significant traditional musical instruments.
The Ranat Ek and the Ranat Ke Lek
The Ranat Ek is a very popular percussion instrument used in traditional Thai music. Believed to be created during the reign of King Rama IV (1851-1868), it is similar to a xylophone. Made of bamboo and wood to create softer and louder sounds, the musician hits the keys with mallets to produce the Ranat Ek’s music. The Ranat Ek Lek is similar to the Ranat Ek, but is constructed of metal keys placed over a wooden resonator. It is tuned identically to the Ranat Ek.
The Khong Wong Yai and the Khong Wong Lek
Khong Wong Yai, or The Circle of Gongs, is a percussion instrument in which the musician sits inside a ring of different toned gongs attached to a rattan base. The performer plays the instrument by rotating his body while tapping the gongs with mallets. The Khong Wong Lek with its 18 gongs is a smaller version of the Khong Wong Yai and has a higher pitch.
The Saw Sam Sai
The Saw Sam Sai is a stringed instrument similar to a fiddle. It has three snakeskin-covered strings and the musician plays it using a bow. The bowl of the instruments is made from the shell of a coconut, and the pitch of the instrument can vary depending upon what size shell is used. Two similar stringed instruments that also use a bow to play are the Saw-U and the Saw Duang.
The Grajabpi
The Grajabpi is similar to a lute, and is played by plucking its strings. Made of either teak or jackfruit, it has four strings. It is believed to be one of the oldest Thai musical instruments in existence.
The Khlui
The Khlui is a flute-like wind instrument whose sound is compared to a clarinet or oboe. It is constructed from bamboo, hardwood, or plastic. The Khlui is made in different sizes to create different pitches.
The Ching and Chap
The tiny Ching and Chap, constructed of thick metals, are part of the percussion family. To play the ching and chap, the musician hits the two sides together producing a symbol-like sound.
The Thon-Rammana
The Thon-Rammana consists of two different drums played together. The Thon, known as a goblet drum, has a lower pitch than the round Rammana drum.
The Taphon
Shaped like a barrel with decorative woven patterns in the middle, the Taphon has two drumheads. It is played using hands, instead of mallets. Although there are many other traditional Thai musical instruments, these are some of the most unique and culturally significant ones found throughout the country. Some of the sounds might sound foreign to westerners, as they are not all played in the modern keys to which they are accustomed. However, they are a treat to the ears and anyone who appreciates music will delight in the sounds they produce.
The Traditional Musical Instruments of Thailand
There are three main types of instruments: wind, string, and percussion. Many of the instruments come in different sizes for variety in pitch and tone. The instruments are constructed from wood, metal, or leather and musicians play them by plucking, bowing, striking or blowing. The following describes some of the most popular and significant traditional musical instruments.
The Ranat Ek and the Ranat Ke Lek
The Ranat Ek is a very popular percussion instrument used in traditional Thai music. Believed to be created during the reign of King Rama IV (1851-1868), it is similar to a xylophone. Made of bamboo and wood to create softer and louder sounds, the musician hits the keys with mallets to produce the Ranat Ek’s music. The Ranat Ek Lek is similar to the Ranat Ek, but is constructed of metal keys placed over a wooden resonator. It is tuned identically to the Ranat Ek.
The Khong Wong Yai and the Khong Wong Lek
Khong Wong Yai, or The Circle of Gongs, is a percussion instrument in which the musician sits inside a ring of different toned gongs attached to a rattan base. The performer plays the instrument by rotating his body while tapping the gongs with mallets. The Khong Wong Lek with its 18 gongs is a smaller version of the Khong Wong Yai and has a higher pitch.
The Saw Sam Sai
The Saw Sam Sai is a stringed instrument similar to a fiddle. It has three snakeskin-covered strings and the musician plays it using a bow. The bowl of the instruments is made from the shell of a coconut, and the pitch of the instrument can vary depending upon what size shell is used. Two similar stringed instruments that also use a bow to play are the Saw-U and the Saw Duang.
The Grajabpi
The Grajabpi is similar to a lute, and is played by plucking its strings. Made of either teak or jackfruit, it has four strings. It is believed to be one of the oldest Thai musical instruments in existence.
The Khlui
The Khlui is a flute-like wind instrument whose sound is compared to a clarinet or oboe. It is constructed from bamboo, hardwood, or plastic. The Khlui is made in different sizes to create different pitches.
The Ching and Chap
The tiny Ching and Chap, constructed of thick metals, are part of the percussion family. To play the ching and chap, the musician hits the two sides together producing a symbol-like sound.
The Thon-Rammana
The Thon-Rammana consists of two different drums played together. The Thon, known as a goblet drum, has a lower pitch than the round Rammana drum.
The Taphon
Shaped like a barrel with decorative woven patterns in the middle, the Taphon has two drumheads. It is played using hands, instead of mallets. Although there are many other traditional Thai musical instruments, these are some of the most unique and culturally significant ones found throughout the country. Some of the sounds might sound foreign to westerners, as they are not all played in the modern keys to which they are accustomed. However, they are a treat to the ears and anyone who appreciates music will delight in the sounds they produce.
Posted Jan 5, 2015