Thailand Instruments

Thailand's instruments come in a wide range of styles. They have three families of instruments: wind,
percussion, and string. String instruments are classified into two types: plucked and bowed. The
Percussion family is divided into three major groups: drums, keyboards, and gongs or cymbals.
Furthermore, many Thai instruments are quite similar, just differing in size to create higher or lower
tones.

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.