Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and

Malaysia have instrumental ensembles

and vocal music. Have you noticed that
these musical performances are used in
different manners in their culture? They
have a specific type of music for festivals,
religious events, weddings, and funerals.
Do you think the other countries have
this too? Do they use instrumental and
vocal music for their cultural or religious
events? Let’s keep on reading.
 We have learned in Lesson 1 about the
vocal and instrumental music of other
Southeast Asian countries. That is, Cambodia,
Indonesia, Myanmar and Malaysia. When it
comes to their culture, it varies in accord to
their beliefs. Sometimes, it has categorization
wherein they fall into value and great meaning.
Each country has their own music ensembles
and similar of how unique their style of music
are. In this lesson we will discuss the other half
of the countries that are not mentioned in the
previous discussion and give importance of
their vocal and instrumental music.
Through this lesson, you will discover the
music ensembles of the remaining Southeast
Asian countries. These are Thailand, Laos,
Vietnam and Singapore. You will listen to their
music and analyze its musical instruments
being used in the performance.
The Siamese itself is a
natural breed, meaning
its original pointed
pattern was the result
of a genetic mutation.
The breed has
contributed to the
creation of many ...
Length: 15 to 20 inches,
not including tail
Origin: Thailand
Life Span: 8 to 15 years
Weight: 6 to 14 pounds
 Formerly known as Siam, Thailand is known for
being the sole nation in Southeast Asia that has
never been ruled by a Western power. It is for this
reason that the country is also called “Muang Thai,”
which means “Land of the Free.”
History and geography indicates that Thai music is a
conglomeration of Asian influences. Its musical principles
and elements are basically derived from Chinese music,
while its musical instruments are inspired from the Indian
and Indonesian strings and gong-chimes. The Thais
combined and adapted these to their culture and created
their own unique music.

Music is theoretically based on the five-tone or seven-tone

scale system. It is not only confined to the royal courts but is

THAILAND 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.
DID YOU KNOW? The real name of the capital of Thailand – Bangkok is . . .

Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin

Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat
Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet
Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit
Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.

Which means. . .

The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel

city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand
capital of the world endowed with nine precious
gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous
Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode
where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by
Indra and built by Vishnukarma.
 Songs of Thailand have inherently
poetic lyrics which allow a singer or
performer to easily define the melodic lines.
It provides the singer the opportunity to
improvise song text to suit the given
occasion. The interpretation of a singer gives
meaning to the sacred and spiritual essence
of songs with free rhythm while melodies
may either be interpreted or written in the
high or low register with long or short
durations.
 Thailand has three primary instrumental ensembles that
are similar to the other ensembles in Southeast Asia.
1. Piphat - It is a mid-sized orchestra 2. Khrueang Sai – It is an orchestra
that is performed in either outdoor style that combines some of the
with hard mallets or indoor style with percussion and wind instruments of 3. Mahori – This ensemble is
padded mallets. This ensemble has the Piphat with an expanded string traditionally played by women in the
different types but the highly ornate one section. This group is primarily used courts of Central Thailand and
is traditionally associated with funerals for indoor performances and for the Cambodia. Because of this,
and cremation ceremonies. Other accompaniment of stick-puppet instruments for this ensemble are
versions of the piphat ensemble are theater. historically smaller. However, regular-
used to accompany specific forms of sized instruments are used today. A
traditional Thai drama such as the large vocalist performing with the Mahori is
shadow puppet theatre (nang yai) and usually accompanied by the so sam
the khon dance drama. sai.
LAOS
 The classical music and
dance of Laos is highly
influenced by India,
Cambodia, and Thailand.

This country is an independent

state of Southeast Asia and
officially known as Lao People’s
Democratic Republic. It is Themes are drawn
formerly part of the Indochinese
Union, also known as French from Hindu mythology,
Indochina. Wat Pha That Luang, the Buddhist
Vientiane is one of its famous
landmarks. Jatakatales, and local
legends.
1. Sep Nyai - This is similar to the
Piphat of Thailand with instruments
that are strictly percussive but also
integrates the use of an oboe.
2. Sep Noi – This is also known
as the Mahori of Thailand.
However, it incorporates the use
of several Khene which is a
large bamboo mouth organ and
is the most popular folk music
instrument of Laos.
Traditional music, called Mor
lam, is largely based around
the khene.
• Wow! It looks like most of the
countries in Southeast Asia have a lot
of similarities in their musical
instruments and types of music
performed. Their musical influences
are similar to one another as well.
• Isn’t it amazing?
• Let’s see if the last two countries to
be discussed have the same similarities
to the other countries.
 Vietnam is officially known as the Socialist Republic of
Vietnam. This country is located on the eastern coast of the
Indochinese Peninsula.
Vietnamese music (nhạc Việt Nam) refers to
the ethnic music that originated from the
"Kinh" people of Vietnam. This term is also
used to address the music of any of the
numerous ethnic minorities including the
Montagnard, Degar, Tay, Cham, and others.

On the other hand, other influences can be

seen with the ethnic minorities, such as the
Chàm or Montagnard peoples. This is possibly Although Vietnam is geographically
due to interaction with the other countries of part of Southeast Asia, ten centuries of rule by
Southeast Asia. Vietnamese music shows signs the Chinese to the north have made the culture
much closer to Far East than to its Southeast
of Indian influences, noticeable in improvisation
Asian neighbors. Thus, early music theory was
preludes of chamber music (known as rao in either based upon or adapted to the prevailing
the South and dao in the north) as well as Chinese theory, and the majority of instruments
usage of onomatopoeia in drum playing. used in the royal court were of Chinese origin.
Traditional and Folk Music

Vietnamese traditional music can be

separated into a few major categories,
divided predominantly by the way in
which were used in the people's cultural
lives.
 Categories of Vietnamese Music
2. Folk music - This category is extremely
diverse because it includes music performed
both indoors and outdoors. Performers of
1. Imperial court music – The most popular of this kind is
this category are also diverse. They may be
the Nha nhac that was popularly performed during the
professional musicians down to the blind
Tran Dynasty to the Nguyen Dynasty. This form of
artists in the streets who perform to earn
classical music is also performed in honour of the gods
their living. Vietnamese folk music are
and scholars in temples. Other classical music falling into
performed in different occasions depending
this category include the Dai Nhac (“great music”) and the
on its sub-category. It may be performed in
Tieu Nhac (“small music”) which was performed as
musical theaters, streets, courtship rituals,
chamber music for the king.
and ceremonies for invoking spirits. They are
sometimes also influenced by Western
elements. Some Vietnamese music only
3. Religious and makes use of female singers and some have
Ceremonial music – This both male and female singers.
is music performed in
religious rituals or at
funerals.
Singapore
The Republic of Singapore is
an independent republic in
Southeast Asia, comprised of
one main island and about
50 small adjacent islands off
the southern tip of the
Malay Peninsula. About
three-fourths of the people
of Singapore, known as
Singaporeans, are Chinese,
but there are significant Merlion
Malay and Indian minorities.
 Singapore’s cultural life reflects its colonization by the
British Empire and its diverse population. Being the
melting pot of different cultures in Asia, folk music of this
country reflects the culture and traditions of specific
groups.
The ethnic groups which made a prominent place in
the musical world of Singapore have been Chinese, Indian
Malays, and Tamils. Other minority Asian ethnic groups
which have also made a mark in the folk culture of
Singapore are the Cantonese, Hokkien, and Malay
Bangwasan.

Through the years, the music industry in Singapore grew

having Western-influenced performances by the
Singapore Symphony Orchestra as well as ethnic music
performances mainly by the Singapore Chinese
Orchestra. Other performing groups with Malay and
Indian influence are still prevalent until today.