AN OVERVIEW OF THAI MUSIC ANANT NARKKONG The College of Music, Silpakorn University

Socio-cultural contacts throughout Siamese history have been evidenced in language (speaking and writing), architecture, visual arts, archaeological sites, folklores, and of course, MUSIC.

the country's political and economic centre, and also the influences The music found among 4 main regions of the country; Central, North, Northeast, and South, are unique in their characteristics and traditions. The strongest one is the music of the Central region since it represents the country's political and economic centre, and also the influences from mass media which make the Central region music the mainstream and continuously spreading into other regions. Of all regional/folk music in Thailand, the music of the Central region has become the mainstream.

of responsibility from the royal palaces to the government, The music of the Central region has been supported and refined by the royal court, or by those with economical and educational authority. It was transmitted from generation to generation and gradually became noble, formal, traditional, and has ultimately become national. transfer of responsibility from the royal palaces to the government, after 1932.

The ROLES of Thai traditional music as found in the central region: Accompanying rituals (religious ceremonies such as required in a wedding or funeral ceremonies / the rite of paying homage to teachers, etc.) Accompanying traditional performance (traditional dance drama, musical folk drama, Thai boxing, etc.) Providing pleasure for recreational purposes

The roles of Thai traditional music as found in the central region: Accompanying rituals (religious ceremonies such as required in a wedding or funeral ceremonies / the rite of paying homage to teachers, etc.) Accompanying traditional performance (traditional dance drama, musical folk drama, Thai dances, Thai boxing, etc.) Providing pleasure for recreational purposes

The roles of Thai traditional music as found in the central region: Accompanying rituals (religious ceremonies such as required in a wedding or funeral ceremonies / the rite of paying homage to teachers, etc.) Accompanying traditional performance (traditional dance drama, musical folk drama, Thai dances, Thai boxing, etc.) Providing pleasure for recreational purposes

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND ENSEMBLES

Western classification: MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Classification of Thai musical instruments - according to the manner of playing : the diid "plucked“ 2) the sii "bowed“ 3) the tee "beaten", and 4) the pao "blown". - according to their function : providing the melody providing the rhythm Western classification: Chordophone. Aerophone. Idiophone. Membranophone.

เครื่องสาย The Krueng-sai MUSICAL ENSEMBLES: 3 types of standard ensembles ปี่พาทย์ The Pi phat (the percussion and wind ensemble) เครื่องสาย The Krueng-sai (the string ensemble) มโหรี The Ma-ho-ri (the mix ensemble).

MUSICAL ENSEMBLES They are performed for different purposes, e.g. the Pi ghat ensemble is used to accompany Wai kru (Music & Drama worship ceremony) or stage performances such as the Khon (a masked play). The Krueng-sai ensemble and the Ma­ho-ri ensemble are used for general entertainments.

GENERAL ELEMENTS OF THAI MUSIC Sieng - Sonic Orders Thamnong - Melody Changwa - Rhythm Phleng - song/a piece of music composition

for your proper understanding and appreciation of Thai music!! Please attend the soft lecture & demonstration on Thai music this evening for your proper understanding and appreciation of Thai music!!