MAPEH 8

Art
Lesson 1 – Music of Cambodia

Cambodia’s geographical and historical relationships in neighboring cultures are

reflected in their music. The Indianization of Southeast Asia nearly 2 000 years
ago deeply influenced lowland people, especially the ruling elite.
India brought musical instruments and the two-stringed fiddles and hammered
dulcimers from China. European's, especially the French, brought musical natation,
classical European music and instruments, and popular music.
Music Cambodia music was not only often used in Cambodia’s religious
ceremonies and rituals but was also used for shadow puppets and pantomimes.

Pinpeat
Cambodia music is composed of a wide range of wind, string, and percussion
instruments, like xylophone and drum, plus one voice. They are used by the Khmer
majority, as well as their ethnic minorities. Cambodia music has a seven-tone
musical scale.
Pinpeat is a form of classical Cambodia music that has existed and has been played
for more than 1 000 years. Its music has a rich and resonant tone and played a
strong rhythm. A pinpeat ensemble normally consists of nine to twelve
instruments.
Pinpeat Ensemble
1. Skorthom
2. Samphor
3. Oneat
4. Chhing
5. Kongvong
Skorthom is a pair of large barrel drums played with sticks.
Samphor is double-headed drum played with both hands. Its p layer leads and sets
the tempo and beat for a group. It is made from a block of wood hollowed into a
barrel shape. The drummer can produce four different distinct strokes: an open and
closed stoke for each head.
Oneat or Roneat has different types but basically, it is a wooden xylophone. Roneat
dek is the lead bamboo xylophone, it has a high pitch. It has twenty-one suspended
thick bamboo or hard bars attached to its walls. Roneat thong is a low-pitched
xylophone.
Chhing is a pair of fingers cymbals
Kongvong is a circle of gongs arranged in major scale .it is hit with a mallet to
produce sound.
Sralai is a wind instrument with a quadruple read. It looks like oboe, a wind
instruments with a double-reed mouthpiece. The sralai played must be skillful in
circular breathing to play continuously without stopping for breathing.