MUSIC OF SOUTHEAST ASIA

QUARTER 1

Cambodia is one of the most beautiful countries in Southeast Asia. It is known as Kampuchea. It was the center of Khmer (Cambodian)
Kingdom of Angkor, a great empire dominated the Southeast Asia. Art music is highly influenced by ancient forms as well as Hindu forms.
Cambodian court music features choruses with large orchestras based on struck keys and gongs. The pinpeat is a Cambodian musical
ensemble or an orchestra that usually accompanies ceremonial music of the royal courts and temples. This group is similar to the piphat
ensemble of Thailand.

Oneat – xylophones (ideophone)

Samphor – a double-headed drum played with hands
(membranophone)
Kongvong – gong circles (idiophone)
Skorthom – two big drums similar to Japanese
(membranophone)
Chhing – finger cymbals (idiophone)
 The Gamelan Orchestra
In Indonesian music there are two basic kinds of music scale, the Slendro a
five(5) equidistant tones in octave and the Peloq a heptatonic (7) tone scale with
semi-tone. Both vocal and instrumental music in Indonesia use slendro and
, peloq
dance,scales.
and theatrical
Polyphonic stratification or interlocking used in gongs is a common
technique used in gamelan music. Gamelan orchestra is the most popular form
of music in Indonesia. There are many types of gamelan but the famous are the
ensemble
Javanese and Balinise. It contains variety of instruments such as metallophones,
xylophones, kendang and gongs, bamboo flutes bowed and plucked strings.
Vocal music is used to ornament the gamelan music a Pesindhen female soloist
singer who sings with a gamelan. The Gerong refers to the unison male chorus
that sings with the gamelan. Karawitan is the term for every kind of gamelan
music in Java.
The Hsiang Waing Myanmar was known as Burma until 1989. The music of
Myanmar (or Burma) has similarities with many other
musical traditions in the region including Chinese music
and Thai music. The Hsaing waing is Myanmar’s traditional
folk music ensemble. It is made mainly of different gongs
and drums as well as other instruments. Myanmar’s
musical instruments are categorized into two types; the
loud sounding and soft sounding. The loud sounding
instruments performed in open-air ensembles at
ceremonies and festivals. For more formal and classical
performances that are performed indoors soft sounding Myanmar not only has
instruments maybe used, the ensemble may be musical ensembles but
accompanied by the saung gauk (13 stringed angular harp also an extensive
with soft sound) the national instrument of Myanmar, the collection of classical
pattala (Burmese xylophone), or the piano and violin. songs called Mahagita.

Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy in Southeast Asia. West Malaysia known as Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia which consist of
thirteen states and three territories. Music of Malaysia maybe categorized into two types 1. The Classical and Folk music emerge during the
pre-colonial period, exist in the form of vocal, dance, and theatrical music. 2. Syncretic and acculturated music developed during the post
Portuguese period (16th century). Contains elements from both local music and foreign elements of Arabian, Persian, Indian, Chinese, and
Western musical and theatrical sources.
Musical Ensembles and Types of Performances in Malaysia

Agung and Kulintang – a gong based Kertok - Musical

musical Ensemble commonly used in ensemble from
funerals and Weddings in East Malaysia consist of
Malaysia. This type of Ensemble is xylophones played
similar to the Kulintang of the swiftly and rhythmically
Philippines, Brunei, and Indonesia. in traditional Malay
functions.
 Dikir Barat - a type of musical form Silat Melayu – a form of
that is important to Malaysia’s martial art that is similar to
national culture. It is performed by t’ai chi. A mixture of martial
singing in groups and often in a arts, dance, and music
competitive manner usually with usually accompanied by
percussion instrumental gongs, drums and Indian
accompaniment or sometimes without oboes.
instruments at all.
Siam was a former name of Thailand and is known for being the sole nation in Southeast Asia that has never been ruled by a Western power.
The reason the country is called”Muang Thai” which means “Land of the Free”. Music is theoretically based on the five-tone or seven-tone
scale system. It is not only confined to the courts but is also used extensively in dance, theatre, and in ceremonies. Thai folk music consists of
simple songs with simple melodic lines. Its main focus in singing is the articulation of the text rather than the style or technique of execution.
Thailand has three primary instrumental ensembles that are similar to the other ensembles of Southeast Asia

Piphat – is a mid-sized orchestra Khrueang Sai – An orchestra

that is performed in either outdoor that combines some of the
style with hard mallets or indoor percussion and wind
style with padded mallets. It has instruments of the piphat with
different types but the highly an expanded string section. This
ornate one is traditionally group is used for indoor
associated with funerals and performances and for the
cremation ceremonies. accompaniment of stick-puppet
theatre.
Mahori – This ensemble is
traditionally played by women in the
courts of Central Thailand and
Cambodia. Because of these
instruments are historically smaller.
However regular -sized instruments
are used today.

Laos is an independent state of Southeast Asia and officially known as Lao’s People’s Democratic Republic. The classical music and dance of
Laos is highly influenced by India, Cambodia, and Thailand. Themes are drawn form Hindu mythology, the Buddhist Jakata tales and local
legends. The royal entourage of Lao kings traditionally included musicians, and a typical orchestra improvised songs with sets of tuned gongs,
xylophones, a bamboo flute, and other wind instruments.
The Lao orchestra can be divided into two categories:
Sep Nyai – This is Sep Noi – This is also known
similar to the piphat as the mahori of Thailand.
of Thailand with However, it incorporates the
instruments that are use of several khene.
strictly percussion
but also integrates
the use of an oboe.

Lao’s traditional music is called Mor lam, is largely based around the khene.
Khene – is a large bamboo mouth organ and is the most popular folk music
instrument of Laos.

Activity I: (Constructed Response) Answer the following questions (5 points each)

1. In three sentences, describe how pinpeat musicians play their instruments?

2. What are the kinds of instruments used in the Gamelan orchestra?
3. Name the types of instruments used in Myanmar’s musical ensemble and describe each.
4. Describe how Malaysian Ensembles and performances differ from one another?
5. How did piphat, Khreuang Sai and mahori similar to other ensembles in Southeast Asia?
6. Site differences of Sep Nyai and Sep Noi ensemble of Laos with the piphat and mahori ensemble of Thailand.

Activity 2: Write the country which is associated with the following words. (10 points)

___________________________ 1. Khene _________________________ 6. Hsaing Waing

___________________________ 2. Dikir Barat _________________________ 7. Saung Gauk
___________________________ 3. Gamelan _________________________ 8. Kulintang
___________________________ 4. Pinpeat _________________________ 9. Mahori
___________________________ 5. Piphat _________________________10. Orchestra

Activity 3: Describe the element of music mentioned in each song from Southeast Asia (16 points.)

Element Rasa Sayang (Malaysia) Chan Mali Chan (Singapore) Loi Krathong (Thailand)
of Music https://www.youtube.com/watch? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvnbKS9GJQI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC6HTsYjh6k
v=MQnSM7_kssM
Rhythm
Melody
Texture

Activity 4: Group Activity

1. Form a rhythmic instrumental ensemble using improvised instruments or any available instruments that sound like instruments from
Southeast Asia. You may use tin cans, bamboo, wood, utensils (spoon & fork), bottles, metal and etc.
 2. Choose a song from Southeast Asia ( Rasa Sayang, Chan Mali Chan, Loy Krathong and Burong Kakatua), accompany it using an
improvised musical instrument. Your accompaniment should imitate the rhythmic patterns heard in the music of Southeast Asia.
3. Perform the song using the available instruments in your group.
CRITERIA FOR JUDGING

CRITERIA 10 9 8 7 6 5
Correct expression and style
Accurate rhythm
Appropriateness of accompaniment and movement
Correct Pitch
Creativity
TOTAL SCORE

ARTS OF SOUTHEAST ASIA

QUARTER I

Lesson 1: FABRIC AND FABRIC DESIGNS

Thai silk is produced from the cocoons of Thai silkworms. It is produced in Khorat
which is the center of silk industry in Thailand. Thai silk making is considered to
be the finest arts in the world, a product of unique patterns and colors. Modern
textiles have traces of motifs imitating clothing details on ancient stone
sculptures.
There are two main types of Cambodian weaving;
 Ikat technique - to create patterns, weavers tie and dye portions of weft yarn before weaving begins. Common motifs include lattice,
stars, and spots.
 Uneven twill – it yields single or two-color fabrics, which are produced by weaving three so that the color of one thread dominates
on one side of the fabric, while the two others determine the color on the reverse side.
Cambodian silk is generally sold domestically, where it is used in sampot (wrap skits), furnishings, and pidan (pictoral tapestries)
Rural Cambodian women often weave homemade cotton fabrics, which is used in garments and for household purposes. Krama, the
traditional check scarves worn almost universally by Cambodian.
Golden thread silk was
born in Vietnam. Many
of our Vietnamese
fabric originated from
Ha Dong the center of
weaving and
sericulture (silk worm
production).
 The Sihn is a Lao women’s ankle-long skirt whose forms
are unique to each skirt. Though the skirt looks simple
and elegant, it is traditional that every woman in Laos
weaves all the sihns she wears throughout her lifetime.
She uses folk icons to express personal views. This often
accomplished by symbolic totems from the inanimate
or animate world, crabs for resourcefulness, snakes for
fertility, butterflies for beauty and birds for success.

The fabric most common to both countries is the batik. There are two categories of batik designs:
The term batik is an Indonesian -Malay word, believed  Geometric motifs
to be related to the Malay word titik, which means  Free form designs
“point,” “dot,” or “drop.” The “drop” action refers to
the process of dying the fabric by making use of a resist
technique, covering areas of cloth with dye-resistant
substance (usually hot wax) to prevent them from
Geometric motif Free form design
absorbing colors.
In Malaysia, the states of Kelantan and Terengganu are considered the
cradle where batik first flourished, reaching even Singapore’s shores.
There are two main types of batik that are produced there:
 Hand painted – the artist uses the canting, a small copper
container with one or more different-sized pipes.
 Block printed – is done by welding together strips of metal to
form a metal block. The metal block is then dipped into molten
was and pressed against the fabric in order to make a patter.
Leaves and flowers in Malaysian batiks are incorporated to avoid
Hand painted Block printed interpretation of human and animal images as idolatry.

Brunei’s traditional textile is also called batik but it is

uniquely different from Indonesia, Malaysia and
Singapore. Its designs have their national flower
simpur, sumboi-sumboi (pitcher plant).
Batik can be done in four different ways:
1.Hand-drawn 3. screen printin
2.Using metal blocks 4. Digital printing Singaporean Batik

Lesson 2: ARTS AND CRAFTS

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Flying lanterns are made out of rice paper with bamboo frame, which contain fuel
cell or small candle. When the fuel is lit, the flame heats the air inside the lantern,
causing the lantern to rise. In Thailand, flying lanterns or wish lanterns are used
during the year for festivals, the most popular being the Loy Krathong Festival. This
festival is held on the 12th full moon, usually in November, with Chang Mai believed
Cambodian population was represented by 1.4 percent of indigenous
to have the brightest and most spectacular celebrations.
people, majority of them lived I remote rural areas they were referred
as highlanders.
Handicrafts are part of their traditional culture and their livelihood as
they produce textiles, baskets, jars, pottery, and other tools for daily
use. Many indigenous groups have established small enterprises and
produce traditional products to generate supplementary income in
order to support their livelihood.

Vietnamese Silk Painting is one of Wau kite in Malay is a uniquely

the most popular forms of art in designed Malaysian kite. Its
Vietnam, favored with mystical wings are similar to an Arabic
atmosphere that can be achieved letter (pronounced “wow”. This
with the medium. kite tradition comes naturally to
Vietnamese silk paintings typically Malaysian people.
showcase the countryside, Farmers used kites as scarecrows
landscapes, pagodas, historical in the fields and as a means to
events, or scenes of daily life. lull their children to sleep.
 Shadow puppetry is famous in
Indonesia. Wayang means “show”
or “perform”. Kulit means “skin” a
reference to the leather to the
leather material that the figures
are carved out of. The songkok (also called peci or kopiah) is a cap widely worn in
Wayang Kulit is a type of puppet Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Southern Philippines and
play performed around Indo- Southern Thailand, mostly among Muslim males in formal
Malayan archipelago. gatherings such as wedding feast, funerals, or festive occasion
The puppets are usually made out such as the Eidul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Songkok came to be
of buffalo and goat hide and associated with Islam in Malaysia, while peci in Indonesia is
mounted on bamboo sticks. associated with the national secular movement.

Lesson 3: Sculpture
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 Stone carving has been both a The Sentosa Merlion is the biggest replica,
passion and a livelihood for standing at 37 meters and made from glass-
many Cambodian sculptures. reinforced concrete. A fabricated icon, which
From small statues to the could tap into the particular myths and
breathtaking carvings found at folklore of the area, which features sea-beast
Angkor Wat, this art medium and magical fish creature. The Merlion is also
has become one of the partly inspired by the story of how Singapore
country’s most cherished art got its name or “The Singapura Story”.
form.

The Sri Mariammam Hindu temple with sculptures of different

Activity
images1:is Constructed
almost as oldResponse
as Singapore itself. This was constructed and Thailand is world-famous for its sculpture, the most commonly
1. From what materials ThaiMariammam
dedicated to the goddess silk is made?who is worshipped for her used materials are wood, stone, ivory, clay and various metals.
2. Name the two main types ofSingapore
power to cure disease (early Cambodian was mostly and
weaving jungle, so each.
describe The reclining Buddha is a famous sculpture in Wat Pho in
diseases was rampant). Its most interesting feature
3. Site differences of Indonesian batik with Malaysian batik.is its impressive Bangkok a 46 meter long and 15 meters high, made of plaster
4.gopuram (tower)
What is the use ofover
wauthekitemain entrance,people?
to Malaysian which is decorated with on brick core and finished in gold lead. The feet are inlaid with
numerous Hindu deities.
5. How did Brunei’s batik differ from other batiks in Southeast Asia? mother of pearl.
6. Explain the process of making the flying lanterns of Thailand?
7. What is the interesting features of Sri Mariammam Hindu Temple of Singapore?
8. What are the materials used in the world-famous sculpture of Thailand the reclining buddha?
Activity 2: Picture Identification
Picture Name of Art work Country of Origin Form of Art
(Handicraft/Fabric/Sculpture

Activity 3: Making of Paper Batik

Materials:
Elmers glue
Short bond paper
Water color
Procedure:
1. Draw designs like geometric shapes and flowers using elmers glue.
2. Let it dry for about 15 minutes.
3. Apply water color on areas without glue and let it dry.
Activity 4: Making of Wayang Kulit Puppet
Materials:
Draft or template of a chosen character scissors or cutter
Coloring materials (colored pencil or crayon) round head fastener
Card board stick at about 6 inches
Procedure:
1. Color your design with a colored pencil or a crayon
2. Paste designs on a cardboard and cut it out
3. Using a cutter cut the holes of your template
4. Use round fastener or straw to connect joints
5. Add stick to your puppet
6. Add the design or details that your heart desired