Thailand Instruments
There are many different varieties of Instruments from Thailand. They have 3 families of instruments, the wind, percussion, and string instruments. There are 2 main types of string instruments, plucked and bowed. The Percussion family is separated into 3 main groups, the drums, keyboards, and gongs or cymbals. Also, many Thai instruments are very similar, just in different sizes to produce higher or lower pitches.
The Ranat Ek
The Ranat Ek has a similar look to xylophones. The keys from the ranad ek do not touch the base of the instrument, but rather hang over it, similar to a suspension bridge. The keys are wooden, and are different sizes in order to make different sounds.
Ranat Ek Lek
The Ranat Ek Lek is similar to the Ranat Ek, but is made with metal keys, instead of wooden ones. The Flat metal keys are placed over a wooden resonater.
Ranat Thum Lek
The Ranak Thum Lek was created to have a lower tone then the Ranat Ek Lek. The only major difference is that all of the keys are larger, giving it a lower tone.
GrajaBpI
The Grajabpi is a stringed instrument, similar to a lute. The strings are plucked, and it is used in Thai Classical Music. It is made of jackfruit or teak wood, and has four strings. The Grajabpi is believed to be one of the oldest Thai instruments.
Saw Duang
The Saw Duang is a string instrument that is played with a bow. The box of the saw duang is made from either bamboo or hardwood, and the skin on the end of the sound chamber is often made from snake skin. The strings are often made from silk.
Saw u
The Saw U is similar to the Saw Duang, but larger and produces a lower pitch. It has 2 strings, and can produce 8 notes. The soundbox of the Saw U is made from a coconut shell with the open side covered with cowskin. The silk strings of the Saw U are played with a bow.
Taphon
The Taphon is a percussion instrument that is often found in a percussion ensemble called a piphat. The Taphon has two heads, and is shaped like a barrel. It is played with your hands, not with mallets. Many taphons have designs woven into the middle of the barrel.
Thon-Rammana
The Thon-Rammana are hand drums that are played in a pair. The Rammana is a frame drum that gives a higher pitch, while the Thon is a goblet drum that gives a lower pitch.
Khong wong lek
The khong wong lek is a unique instrument. It is comprised of 18 small gongs that are in a circle. It is similar to the khong wong yai, but has a higher pitch.
Khlui
The Khlui is mostly made from bamboo, but is made from hardwood, and sometimes even plastic too. The seven lower holes on the Khlui are where the fingers sit, covering and uncovering them in order to change the note that comes out.
PI Nai
The pi nai has 6 holes, through which it can make varying sounds, and 22 pitches. The pi nai is a form of oboe, and is classified under the Thai wind instrument catergory. The reed of the pi nai is made of Bai tan, a form of palm leaf.
JakHe
Approximately 20cm high, and 140cm long, the Jakhe has two strings made from silk, and two strings made from brass. In order to play this instrument, your left hand goes on the frets, to change the pitching, while your right hand strikes the strings with a ivory plectrum tied to your index finger.