Music

Little evidence exists of early Thai music. Written records and annals were often destroyed during times of war. Scant records are to be found over a period of more than a thousand years. Some songs of the Sukhothai period are still sung to this day, however, such as the ‘phleng thep thong’.

In the past, Thai musicians received lessons by listening to their teachers. Learning and practice was conducted entirely by memory. More recently, Thai music and songs have been transcribed in the Western system of notation to save them from extinction–a task made difficult by the different scales and absence of semi-tones in Thai music.

Thai music has been influenced by the music of neighboring peoples, particularly the Khmer, Burmese, Chinese and Lao. Nonetheless, these influences have remained distinct from the mainstream Thai music and are reflected in the names of the various songs: ‘Lao siang tian’ (the Lao oracle of light), ‘Chine gep dok mai’ (Chinese picking flowers), ‘Khmer glom look’ (Khmer lullaby), etc.

Although the popularity of Thai traditional music has faded under the inevitable attraction of Western pop culture, Thai traditional music is still played at formal ceremonies. Music plays an important part in the culture and daily life of the people, and is actively promoted by the monarch. In the Rattanakosin period, King Rama II composed many songs; the present monarch, His Majesty King Rama IX (King Bhumipol Adulyadej) has composed music that combines both popular and traditional Thai styles; and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is an accomplished performer of several Thai musical instruments. She has become an active leader in reviving interest in traditional Thai music among the younger generation.

Thai musical instruments are named according to the sounds they make, their shape or for some historical reason. They are classified in four types: plucked string instruments such as the ‘krajuab pi’ (similar to the guitar); bowed stringed instruments such as the ‘saw’ (like the violin); percussion instruments such as the ‘glong’ (drum); and wind instruments such as the ‘khui’ (like a flute). The function of each instrument varies. For example, the ‘ching’ (a pair of small cup-shaped cymbals) controls the rhythm, while ‘ranat ek’, similar to the xylophone, provides the principal melody.

Thai music is played by groups of between five and 20 musicians, with three types of band: ‘piphat’, ‘stringed’ and ‘mahori’. ‘Piphat’ was originally formed to accompany performances of traditional dancing, and royal and religious ceremonies. Stringed and ‘mahori’ bands played with or without singers, purely for entertainment.

Thai classical music is classified by level (‘chan’), according to the speed of tempo. It is set to a scale of seven steps, which are both lilting and steady. The level and scale combine to create specific feelings, romantic, sad, amusing or exciting.

The best way to fully appreciate Thai music is, of course, to listen to it. Thai music can be heard at classical dance dramas, Thai boxing matches, and everything in between. Visit one of these public events to get a feel for the amazingly diverse and sometimes bizarre sounds of the Thai musicians.

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