Khruang sai
Encyclopedia
Wong khrueang sai is a musical ensemble in Thai classical music
which consists primarily of string instrument
s. A typical khrueang sai ensemble features two two-string fiddle
s, one high and one low (saw duang and saw u), a three-string zither
called jakhe, a vertical duct
flute
called khlui
, hand drum
s, and various cymbal
s. Depending on the size of the ensemble, instruments may be doubled or left out. A three-string spike fiddle called saw sam sai
may be added as well. The khim
(hammered dulcimer) has become popular and is also used in this ensemble. In the 20th century, Western instruments such as the violin
or organ have also occasionally been integrated into khrueang sai ensembles.
s, and holiday
s. It also used in impromptu occasions requiring music.
Here is the definition of the khrueang sai according to the NIU South East Asia Studies department:
Sound clips are available at the website above for all Thai ensembles.
This kind of ensemble is used when there is limit of space. It is also called wong khrueang sai wong lek or wong khrueang sai khurang diao (วงเครื่องสายเครื่องเดี่ยว).
ensemble to create new ensemble called khrueang sai prasom piphat (เครื่องสายประสมปี่พาทย์).
Music of Thailand
The music of Thailand reflects its geographic position at the intersection of China and India, and reflects trade routes that have historically included Persia, Africa, Greece and Rome...
which consists primarily of string instrument
String instrument
A string instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings. In the Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification, used in organology, they are called chordophones...
s. A typical khrueang sai ensemble features two two-string fiddle
Fiddle
The term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
s, one high and one low (saw duang and saw u), a three-string zither
Zither
The zither is a musical string instrument, most commonly found in Slovenia, Austria, Hungary citera, northwestern Croatia, the southern regions of Germany, alpine Europe and East Asian cultures, including China...
called jakhe, a vertical duct
Fipple
A fipple is a constricted mouthpiece common to many end-blown woodwind instruments, such as the tin whistle and the recorder. These instruments are known variously as fipple flutes, duct flutes, or tubular-ducted flutes.-How it works:...
flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
called khlui
Khlui
The khlui is a vertical duct flute from Thailand. It is generally made of bamboo, though instruments are also made from hardwood or plastic...
, hand drum
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s, and various cymbal
Cymbal
Cymbals are a common percussion instrument. Cymbals consist of thin, normally round plates of various alloys; see cymbal making for a discussion of their manufacture. The greater majority of cymbals are of indefinite pitch, although small disc-shaped cymbals based on ancient designs sound a...
s. Depending on the size of the ensemble, instruments may be doubled or left out. A three-string spike fiddle called saw sam sai
Saw sam sai
The saw sam sai is a traditional bowed string instrument of Thailand. Its body is made from a special type of coconut covered on one end with animal skin, and it has three silk strings...
may be added as well. The khim
Khim
The khim is a hammered dulcimer from Thailand and Cambodia. It is made of wood and trapezoidal in shape, with brass strings that are laid across the instrument. There are 14 groups of strings on the khim, and each group has 3 strings. Overall, the khim has a total of 42 strings. It is played...
(hammered dulcimer) has become popular and is also used in this ensemble. In the 20th century, Western instruments such as the violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
or organ have also occasionally been integrated into khrueang sai ensembles.
Playing context
The khrueang sai is one of the quietest and most intimate ensembles in Thai classical music. It is used to accompany singing, danceDance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
s, and holiday
Holiday
A Holiday is a day designated as having special significance for which individuals, a government, or a religious group have deemed that observance is warranted. It is generally an official or unofficial observance of religious, national, or cultural significance, often accompanied by celebrations...
s. It also used in impromptu occasions requiring music.
Varieties
The following are some of the ensemble types, depending on the occasion:- Khrueang sai wong lek
- Khrueang sai khrueang khu
- Khrueang sai pi chawa
- Khrueang sai prasom http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Thai/music/classical/thaiensemble/Khryang_Sai_Ensemble.htm
Here is the definition of the khrueang sai according to the NIU South East Asia Studies department:
Sound clips are available at the website above for all Thai ensembles.
Khrueang sai diao
Wong khrueang sai diao is an ensemble consisting of one each of the following instruments:- ching - timekeeper of ensemble
- saw duangSaw duangThe saw duang is a bowed string instrument used in traditional Thai music. it has a higher pitch than a saw u. It has a hardwood soundbox covered on the playing end with python skin. It is held vertically and has two silk strings that are played with a bow. Like the saw u, the bow is between the...
- saw uSaw uThe saw u is a Thai bowed string instrument. It has a lower pitch than the saw duang and is the lowest sounding of the saw family. It has two strings and can produce 8 notes....
- khluiKhluiThe khlui is a vertical duct flute from Thailand. It is generally made of bamboo, though instruments are also made from hardwood or plastic...
- thon and rammana - secondary timekeeper
- jakheJakheThe jakhe is a plucked zither used in Thai music. It is made of wood in a stylized crocodile shape and is approximately 20 cm high and 140 cm long. Its highest two strings are made of silk yarn or nylon and lowest is made of brass...
This kind of ensemble is used when there is limit of space. It is also called wong khrueang sai wong lek or wong khrueang sai khurang diao (วงเครื่องสายเครื่องเดี่ยว).
Khrueang sai khu
Wong khrueang sai khu is an ensemble consisting of instruments as described in the khrueang sai diao ensemble, but double in number (except ching, thon, and rammana). It is also called wong khrueang sai wong yai (วงเครื่องสายวงใหญ่).Khrueang sai prasom
Wong khrueang sai prasom is an ensemble arranged by mixing khrueang sai diao or khrueang sai khu with other instruments, such as organ, ranad ek, khim and also mixed with the piphatPiphat
A piphat is a kind of ensemble in the classical music of Thailand, which features wind and percussion instruments. It is considered the primary form of ensemble for the interpretation of the most sacred and "high-class" compositions of the Thai classical repertoire, including the Buddhist...
ensemble to create new ensemble called khrueang sai prasom piphat (เครื่องสายประสมปี่พาทย์).