e-ISSN : 2620 3502 International Journal on Integrated Education p-ISSN : 2615 3785

Music of Southeast Asia: Musical Ensembles

Almighty C. Tabuena Senior High School Faculty Member, High School Department, Espiritu Santo Parochial School of Manila, Inc., Manila, Philippines Email: [email protected]

Abstract This article aimed to characterize the different musical instruments of Southeast Asian countries and distinguish characteristics to its music, culture, and tradition. In addition, the students should be able to explain how the music of a Southeast Asian country relates to its geography and culture, analyze musical elements of selected songs and instrumental pieces heard and performed, explore ways of producing sounds on a variety of sources that would simulate instruments being studied and evaluate music and music performances applying knowledge of musical elements and style. Keywords: music, musical ensembles, musical instruments, Southeast Asia

1. Introduction The music of Southeast Asia is diverse because of the different geographical, historical, and cultural influences in the region – Thailand, Burma, Laos, and Cambodia have Chinese influences, while , Malaysia, and Brunei have Hindu and Arabic Influences. According to Smithsonian Folkways Recordings of Smithsonian Institution “whether sung in Sanskrit or Vietnamese or played on renêt or modern violin, music in Southeast Asia is dominated by a well-integrated, highly cultivated style which is characteristic of the whole area”.

2. Music of Indonesia 2.1. Geographical and Historical Background Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world. It consists of five major islands and about 30 smaller groups. Straddling the equator, the archipelago is on a crossroads between two oceans, the Pacific and the Indian Ocean, and bridges two continents, Asia and Australia. The 17,000 islands that make up Indonesia were home to a diversity of cultures and indigenous beliefs when the islands came under the influence of Hindu priests and traders in the first and second centuries A.D. Muslim invasions began in the 13th century and most of the archipelago had converted to Islam by the 15th century.

2.2. The Gamelan is the traditional ensemble music of Java and Bali in Indonesia, made up predominantly of percussive instruments. The most common instruments used are metallophones played by mallets and a set of hand-played drums called kendhang which registers the beat. Other instruments include xylophones, bamboo , a bowed instrument called a , and even vocalists called Sindhen.

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e-ISSN : 2620 3502 International Journal on Integrated Education p-ISSN : 2615 3785

Figure 1. The Gamelan

A gamelan is a multi-timbre ensemble consisting of metallophones, xylophones, flutes, , voices, as well as bowed and plucked strings.

2.3. Gamelan Instruments

Figure 2. Gamelan Instruments

There are also two sets of instruments that are tonal: the tuned to five tones and the , tuned to seven tones. The slendro is used to suggest festivity or cheerfulness and is believed to have developed in Java in the eighth century. The pelog is used to express sadness and is also very ancient in its origins. These two cannot be played together, but are used according to the mood of the piece being played.

3. Music of Thailand 3.1. Geographical and Historical Background Thailand is found in South-Eastern Asia on the Indochinese Peninsula. Thailand shares borders with Cambodia, Laos, Burma (), and Malaysia. Thailand’s name was changed from Siam to Thailand in 1939. Also, Thailand is a constitutional Monarchy, the current king is Bhumibol Adulyadej, or King Rama IX.

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Figure 3. Thailand Map

3.2. The Ensemble

Figure. 4. The Piphat Ensemble

Piphat ensembles sometimes use hard mallets, and sometimes use soft mallets. There are many different types of Piphats, and each are normally associated with a certain festival or ceremonial purposes. The Piphat ensemble, which plays for court ceremonies and theatrical presentations, is made up of percussion and wind instruments. The most common Piphat is known as the piphat mai khaeng. This ensemble uses the Xylophones, such as the Ek, and Ranat Ek Lek, and also uses wind instruments such as the Nai. circles such as the Khong Wong Lek are also used in these ensembles.

4. Music of Cambodia 4.1. Geographical and Historical Background Cambodia lies between Thailand and Vietnam in mainland southeast Asia, with a smaller stretch of the northern border adjoining Laos. Classical dance and music, originally associated with the court, enjoy great prestige, although live performances by the national companies are not frequent. Less professional musicians, singers, and theater artists keep alive local traditions. Virtually every village has musicians who play at weddings. A pop tradition has revived since the end of socialism.

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4.2. The Pinpeat Ensemble

Figure 5. The Pinpeat Ensemble

5. Music of Myanmar 5.1. Geographical and Historical Background Otherwise known as Burma, Myanmar is a sovereign state in Southeast Asia that is rich in precious stones, oil, natural gas, and other mineral resources. The music of Myanmar has a touch of Chinese and Thai music. Classical instrumental music ensembles are categorized as either outdoor or indoor ensembles, such as the Sidaw, or sidawgyi, an outdoor ensemble in royal courts used in important ceremonial functions like the royal ploughing ceremony.

5.2. Saung Gauk

Figure 6. Saung Gauk

The saung is also known as the saung-gauk (bent ) is an arched harp used in traditional Burmese music. The saung is regarded as a national of Burma. The saung is a unique and very ancient harp tradition that is said to be the only surviving harp in Asia. Volume 4, Issue 3, March 2021 | 10

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References

1. Advameg, Inc. (2018). Culture of Cambodia. http://www.everyculture.com/Bo- Co/Cambodia.html 2. Department of Education (2014). Music and arts – grade 8 learner’s material. Pasig City: Department of Education. 3. Indonesia Travel Guide (2017). Geography of Indonesia. http://www.indonesiapoint.com/geography-of-indonesia.html 4. Maceda, J. et al. (2018). Southeast Asian arts. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 5. Morales, G. S. et al. (2014). Music, arts, physical education, and health grade 8. Sampaloc, Manila: St. Augustine Publications, Inc. 6. Music of Thailand. https://thailandmusicproject.weebly.com/index.html 7. Perez, V. V. et al. (2014). Music, arts, physical education, and health (MAPEH 8). Quezon City: St. Bernadette Publishing House Corporation. 8. Rivadelo, R. F. (2010). Music education: materials and methods. Mandaluyong City: National Book Store, Inc. 9. Sandbox Networks, Inc. (2018). History of Indonesia. https://www.infoplease.com/country/indonesia 10. Tabuena, A. C. (2018, May 22). Music of Southeast Asia: Musical ensembles. Music Classroom Guide: Asian and Contemporary Music. https://actmusicguide.wordpress.com/2018/05/22/music-of-southeast-asia-musical-ensembles/

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