Overview
A look into the history of classical music in Thailand referred to as piphat (ปี่พาทย์) and how it continues to be used today. Along with the instrumentation and how these teachings are passed down to the new generations of musicians.
Piphat
History
Piphat is classified as a traditional Thai orchestral ensemble that mainly consists of percussion and woodwind instruments. It was during the Sukhothai era from 1249-1438 when many of these traditional Thai instruments used in piphat were created. Then in the Ayutthaya period from 1350-1767 is when these ensembles were put together. But it wasn't until the reigns of Kings Rama IV and VI, 1868 to 1925, that piphat peaked. This was also considered to be the golden age of Thai classical music because of the high demand for it in the royal courts. While it is not as popular as it once was, it is still a large part of all ceremonies in the royal court. Piphat is also commonly played at most house blessings, classical plays, monk ordinations, and any other religious ceremonies.
Instrumentation
The traditional Thai instruments are broken down into four groups based on how you play them: deed (plucking), si (bowing), tee (striking), and pao (blowing). Since the piphat ensembles mainly use percussion and woodwind instruments, tee and pao are traditionally the only groups featured. Some examples of the instruments include:
Ranad, ระนาด, bamboo xylophone
Khong Wong, ฆ้องวง, a set of gongs hit with mallets
Ta-pone, ตะโพน, two-sided barrel drum hit with the players hands
Pi Nai, ปี่ใน, quadruple reed oboe made from Bai Tan
Ching, ฉิง, bronze, bowl-shaped, finger cymbals
Klong Thad, กลองทัด, large drums played with sticks
Pitee Wai Khru Piphat Ceremony
Pitee Wai Khru Piphat (พิธีไหว้ครูปี่พาทย์) is a ceremony that all Thai musicians must take part in at least once in their life. It is done to pay homage and show gratitude to the teachers and the god of traditional Thai music, Phra Parakonthap (พระประคนธรรพ), which is expressed through the Ta-pone. This ceremony is considered to be sacred and has been performed for many centuries. The Chao Pitee (เจ้าพิธี) or ‘ruler of the ceremony’ is considered to be one of the most talented musicians as well as being ordained as a monk previously. The Chao Pitee leads the ceremony by readings the Ong Kahn Wai Khru (โองการไหว้ครู) which shows respect and gratitude to the teachers. Then there is a food offering to the gods and past teachers. Finally, the hand-holding ritual, or jap mue (จับมือ), is regarded as the most important part of the ceremony in becoming a piphat musician. The student sits in the Kong Wong Yai and the Chao Pitee holds their hands while playing Pleng Sa Thu Kahn (เพลงสาธุการ), a song that pays homage to the deities. After the song is played three times, the student is officially declared a Thai musician.
The hand-holding ritual being performed during the Pitee Wai Khru Piphat.
Citations
"Music For The Soul: Wong Piphat, The Thai Classical Orchestra – Thailand Foundation".
Thailandfoundation.Or.Th, 2021, https://www.thailandfoundation.or.th/culture_heritage/thai-classical-
orchestra/. Accessed 11 Mar 2023.