Lesson 2

Thailand’s Piphat
Instruments from other countries:
1. Klong thap and Khim- from
Persia 2. Jakhe- from India
Instruments from other countries:
3. Klong Jin- from China 4. Klong khaek- from
Indonesia
Thai Piphat
Three main ensembles in
Classical Thai music:
• Piphat Piphat is derived
• Khryang Sai from two words:
Pi- double reed
It is usually
• Mahori instrument in the performed in
ensemble royal ceremonies,
Phat- to play music public festivities,
and
accompaniment.
Khon- mask dance drama
Nang Yai- grand shadow puppet
spectacle
Lakhon- dance drama
Hun Krabok- bamboo puppet
theater
Li-ke- folk dance drama
Thai Piphat
Khon- mask
Nang Yai- grand
dance drama shadow puppet
spectacle Lakhon-
dance drama
Hun Krabok-
bamboo
puppet
theater

Li-ke- folk
dance drama
 Types of Piphat
1. Piphat Mai Kheng
• It is the prototype from which all
other types are based on.
• It was formerly called “Phin phat”
• “Mai Kheng” means “hard wooden
stick”, referring to the unpadded
sticks used to play the Ranat Ek.
• It is performed during dramatic
performances and in music concerts.
 Types of Piphat
2. Piphat Sepha
-adds the Luk Poeng or the Song Na
(two-faced drum) to the Piphat
Khrueang Ha (the five instrument
ensemble).
The drum serves as the time marker
and drives the rhythmic pattern
while the ensemble accompanies the
Sepha singing in the Lakhon Sepha
performance or in music concert.
 Types of Piphat
3. Piphat Mai Nuam
- The Khlui Phiang O (medium size
sipple flute) and
- Khlui Lib (small size fipple flute)are
replaced by
- Pi Nai (soprano oboe) and
- Pi Nok (sopranino oboe)
Types of Piphat
3. Piphat Mai Nuam
- Padded mallets are also used to
play the Ranat Ek
- This ensemble accompanies the
Khon and Lakhon
 Types of Piphat
4. Piphat Duek Dam Ban
- It was named after the hall where
the new hybrid of Lakhon Nai and
Western opera in performed.
 Types of Piphat
5. Piphat Nang Hong
- It is a combination of Piphat and
Bua Loi ensembles.
 Types of Piphat
6. Piphat Mon
- It is performed at festivals and
ceremonies of Mon Thai people
including Li-ke performances.
- A combination of Piphat Mai
Khaeng and instruments from the
Mon ethnic group.
 Musical Analysis
• Piphat music uses scale of
equidistant seven notes an
octave.
• Piphat features soft and loud
playing as well as changes
in tempo.
• There are three layers in
the Piphat ensemble:
Layer of striking instruments
Layer of wind instruments
Time marking or tempo
controlling instruments