Thai Classical instruments

The Thais have borrowed instrument ideas from other cultures and have adapted them for their own music. There are 50 types of Thai instruments that date back to ancient times. The instruments that were made where the Saw u, Ching and Chab, Ranad Ek and Khawng Wong Yai. Through the century, during the period of Ayutthaya, the instruments were played in ensembles of four to eight musicians. In the beginning of the Bangkok period, after a long time of war, the size of the ensembles was increased to twelve musicians.

Ranad Ek

The Ranad Ek is a percussion instrument. It originated from ‘grap’. ‘Grap’ are wooden keys that were used to keep rhythm. These keys were made in different sizes. They were laid on two tracks. Then a heavy string was threaded through holes in the end of the keys. They were put close together and hung on a stand. Later, a mixture of lead shavings and beeswax was put on the bottom of the keys. This mixture made the tone more in tune. Ranad Ek

Ranad Ek Lek

The Ranad Ek Lek is similar to the Ranad Ek. The keys of the Ranad Ek Lek are made of metal. Originally the keys were made of Brass. The keys of the Ranad Ek Lek look similar to the keys of the Ranad Ek. They also have the same pitches as the keys of the Ranad Ek.

Ranad Thum Lek

The Ranad Thum Lek was thought up by King Rama IV’s brother. He wanted to make an instrument similar to the Ranad Ek Lek, but lower in tone. The keys of the Ranad Thum Lek are like the keys of the Ranad Ek Lek, but they are larger.

Khawng Wong YaiThe Khawng Wong Yai is a circle of gongs. It is played from the middle of the circle. The gongs set on a stand made of Rattan. On the end of the stand that holds the high toned gongs, the side of the stand closest to the player and the side farthest away, are 17.5 cm apart. On the high tone end the two sides are 20 cm apart.

Khawng Wong Lek

The Khawng Wong Lek is exactly like the Khawng Wong Yai, except it is smaller. It is played with the Khawng Wong Yai, in an ensemble called a Piphat. It was made in the time period between 1824 and 1854.

Khawng Mawn

The Khawng Mawn is similar to the Khawng Wong Yai in that it is a row of gongs, but the stand for the Khawng Mawn is a half circle, or a crescent. Instead of laid flat, like the Khawng Wong Yai, it is vertical, with the two ends up. The Khawng Mawn normally has 15 gongs. The framework is made of heavy wood. On the inside, it is hollow. It is carved and decorated beautifully. On one end is carved the head of a creature that is half bird and half human.

Ching and Chab Ching & Chab

The Ching is a percussion instrument. It is similar to cymbals. It is made of a thick metal, and is shaped like a hollow come. It is about six to seven centimeters in diameter. There is a small hole at the end of the cone on each side. A cord runs through the holes, with a knot on each end of the cord connecting the two sides. The Ching is played by hitting the two sides together. Chab is the sound the Ching makes.