One of the most interesting aspects of Thailand music are the instruments themselves. Thailand's traditional music consists of an array of unique instruments, specifically percussion; some of which have been used in ancient Thailand. Over 50 types of instruments were developed and used in the Autthaya period, during which bands usually included four to eight members in general, eventually growing to reach close to twelve musicians in a singular band.
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Ranad Ek One of the most popular percussion instruments used in Thai traditional music is the Ranad Ek. The xylophone-like instrument is said to have been created in the era of King Rama IV (1851-1868), and is said to be one of the most distinguish of Thai instruments. The keys are made with different amounts of bamboo and hardwood, the bamboo providing a softer sound when hit with the mallets, and the hardwood providing a loud sound.
The Ranad Ek generally has 21 bars covering three octaves, and in some cases an extra set of bars for an music three octaves higher than the lowest bar. Each individual key is cut to set the proper key, and then hit with soft or hard mallets for indoor or outdoor performances. Similar to the Ranad Ek is the Ranad Ek Lek, which is created with metal keys as opposed to bamboo and hardwood. The Ranad Ek Lek is set in the same pitch of the keys of the Ranad Ek, and made to look similar as well. |
Khong Wong YaiThe Khong Wong Yai is known throughout Thailand as "The Circle of Gongs". While sitting on a rise made up of Rattan, the Khong Wong Yai is played while sitting on the inside of the instrument and tapping keys with mallets while rotating one's body.
The Khong Wong Yai is commonly used as a percussion instrument in bands; however, it is not the only one of this style. Similar instruments include the Khwang Wong Lek (essentially a smaller version of the Khong Wong Yai, often played together in an ensemble called a Piphat) and the Khawng Mawn (15-gonged, half-circle version of the Khong Wong Yai). |
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Saw Sam SaiThe Saw Sam Sai is is to essentially be the Thai-styled fiddle, played with three strings and covered in snakeskin. The pitch of the instrument is usually dependent on the size of coconut shell used for the chamber. The Saw-Sam Sai has been used for many years in traditional, folk, and country music in Thailand, and is recorded to have been played before the Sukhothia period.
Similar Thai instruments include the Saw-U and the Saw Duang, both of which are fiddle-like in appearance and are played with bows as well. The three string instruments are mainly derived from the original Chinese string instruments. |
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KhluiThe Khlui flute is recognized as Thailand's first wind instrumet, perhaps even developed by the Thais themselves; however, the flute is also similar to other early Indian and Chinese flutes which were developed at nearly the same time. This particular instrument is often more compared to that of the Western clarinet or oboe, and has been modified to three different sizes to match volumes and sound of bands and performances.
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These instruments are not nearly all of which have been used traditionally by the Thais; they are but among the unique and cultural creations from the country that can be explored and studied.