Music of Thailand

Map of Thailand

Classical Music Pi Phat Kruang sai Mahori Khon

Pi Phat Ensemble Most common Thai classical music Symbolizes the dancing of Thailand's legendary dragons Performed inside and outside Instruments include: 2 Renat – xylophone (with hard or padded mallets) 1 Pi – oboe Klong - Barrel drums 2 Kong wong – circular tuned horizontal gong-chimes

Khrueang Sai Includes some wind and percussion instruments; however, this is a string-dominated ensemble, typically heard in indoor instrumental settings String instruments included: so duang – high pitched, 2 string bowed lute solaw – lower pitched, bowed lute Jhakhe – 3 string, plucked zither

Mahori H istoricallyplayed by women in the courts a mixed ensemble that often accompanies vocalists, sometimes in the context of theatre Combines instruments from Pi Phat and Khrueang ensembles. EXCLUDES the loud and shrill Pi (oboe) Includes so sam sai fiddle – middle range bowed lute so sam sai accompanies the vocalist

Khon Thai classical music that is often used as an accompaniment to classical dance

Phlaeng Luk Thung (literally, “songs of the children of the fields”), a type of Thai “country music” that originated in rural central Thailand

Lamwong The “circle dance” is the most popular form of dance at rural temple festivals and other celebrations. It is typically performed to mawlam or luk thung music.

Khaen a traditional wood-and-bamboo mouth organ that has become a symbol of northeastern Thai (and Lao) culture.