Grade 8 MUSIC 1ST QUARTER

Module 1:Music of Southeast Asia

5th Week: Music of Myanmar

Music of Myanmar

The music of Myanmar (or Burma) has similarities with many other musical traditions in the
region like Thai music and Chinese music.
Types of Musical Instrument

 Loud Sounding – performed in open-air ensembles at ceremonies and festivals.

 Soft Sounding – performed indoors at formal and classical performances
Hsaing Waing- is Myanmar’s traditional folk music ensemble.It is made up mainly of different gongs
and drums (as well as other instruments depending on the nature of the performance). Most of the
Hsaing Waing instruments belong to the loud sounding category.

Musical Instrument
Myanmar musical instruments have five kinds
1. Kyay are percussion instruments made of alloy with copper.
a.Than Iwin- refers to small symbals
b.Hsaing wan or Pat waing- a set of 21 tuned drums in a circle.
2. Kyo are string instrument
Alligator-guitar,Boat shaped harp,Violin
3.Lay refers to wind instrument.Flute and oboe.
4.Lekkoke pertains to clappers used as instrument
5.Tha-yay are instruments made from hide.
Musical instrument of Myanmar are categorized as concert known as anyeint and orchestra
which they call as hsaing-waing.
The orchestra of Myanmar has a unique musical tone and amazing appearance. Stringed
instruments and the xylophone are exclusively used in a concert performance that is why you will not
see these instrument in the hsaing- waing orchestra.
 Hsaing –waing Orchestra Instrument
1. Pat-waing or drums- circle, consisting of 21 drums of various sizes in circular formation.

2.Kyee-naung waing- the sharp toned brass gongs circle which supports the pat-waing.

3. Maung waing- the mellow toned bronze gong.

The Burmese monarchy along with the inclusion of various music styles of many regions,
produced classical traditions of their music. China made the earliest influence on classical Burmese
music with their pentatonic musical scale.
Mon music is another influence as evident in Mahagita, the complete body of classical music in
Myanmar. Yodaya, their song adaptations accompanied with the Saung Gauk from modern day
Thailand, is the one popular today.
The sidaw or outdoor musical ensemble performs in royal courts for important ceremonies.
Sidaw music is played in festivals. Chamber music ensemble is for indoor performance with a
female singer.