Myanmar’s Musical

Culture
Presented by:
Mary Cheridon B. Abuyuan
Christian P. Parayao
8- Researchers
 After the discussion, you will understand…
 What factors influenced the development of the
traditional music of Myanmar.
 The elements of Myanmar music.
 Their types of vocal music.
 Their musical instruments.
History of
Myanmar
Myanmar is the largest country in Mainland Southeast
Asia.
It consists of 14 states and regions
Myanmar Culture is largely influenced by the cultures
of its neighboring countries. Thailand and China.
An example of which is the Yama Zatdaw their
adaptation on India’s Ramayana which is also an
influence from Thai, Mon, and Indians.
Myanmar music originated around 1,500 years ago
Its development over-time was due to four
main factors.

 PRIMARY FACTOR
- Daily activities of the people, particularly
rice planting and harvesting where people
sing and work

 SECOND FACTOR
- Their religious beliefs and traditions as
animists believing that Nat are the spirits
that guide them.
- The people sing songs, played music, and
mimic the gestures of the spirits as they
narrate the story of Nat.
  THIRD FACTOR
- Which is considered as the point when Myanmar
performing arts have developed, is coming of
Theravada Buddhism. The practice and
participation of Buddhist festivals encouraged
the people to sing, play instruments, and dance.

 FOURTH FACTOR
- Is the observations of celebrations and festivities
that the Myanmar kings used to hold in receiving
tributary gifts from their vassals and subjects.
 Elements of
Myanmar Music
 Playing music and singing are both treated
with importance in Myanmar musical culture.

 It is well known in Myanmar the manifestation

of greatness in musicianship depends on the
variations that the musician can incorporate or
do in a song or music.
• One notable characteristics of Myanmar
music is its scale.
• Basically it is said that the musical scale
of most Myanmar traditional song is
pentatonic.
• Myanmar musical scales are derived from
three original tones:
 Tayor (G)
 Tay (B)
 Tayar (C).
•Myanmar music has musical timing but no
harmony.
•It cannot be developed into combinations for
it does not use harmony.
4 2
•It is based on the 4 time called na-yi-se, 4 time
8
or wa-let-se and 16 known as wa-let-a-myan..
•The timing 34 or 68 is not used in Myanmar
music.
Myanmar’s
Vocal Music
a.) RECITATION
- these are verses for recitation that are lifted
from the Maha Gita music book.

b.) RATU
- this is a four syllable metrical verse unit type
recited at Myanmar receptions and important
occasions. It can be recited without a timer, with or
without accompaniment, with a timer and musical
accompaniment, or with a musical ensemble.
c.) YAKAN
- this is a freely composed verse form solely
constructed on rhyming rather on spelling.
d.) EH-CHIN
- this is a musical composition that describes
its theme in four stanzas
e.) I-CHIN
- this is a verse from which mirrors the
grassroots of people, their lives, beliefs, love affairs,
superstitions, and economic and social life.
 Musical
Instruments of
Myanmar
1. KYO (string instruments)
a) Myanmar harp
b) Harp

2. KYEY (bronze and brass instruments)

a) Gongs
b) Brass xylophones

3. Thayey (instruments made from leather or hide)

a) Great drums
b) Short drums
c) Circular drums

4. Lei (wind instruments)

a) Oboe
b) Flute

5. Let khut (clapper)

a) Bamboo clappers
b) Bamboo xylophone
 Saung Gauck
Also known as Myanmar Arched Harp.
It has three distinct parts namely the body, the long curved
neck, and a string bar running down the center of the top of the
body.
Its body is covered by deer hide.
This harp has 13-16 strings that are plucked by the harpist.
 Pat waing
Is a set of 21-tuned drums in a circle .
The drums are tuned by filling in rice paste and ashes. The
more rice paste and ashes, the lower the sound that the
drums will create.
The player sits in the middle of a horseshoe- shaped shell
made of elaborately carved wood as he plays them with his
bare hands.
 Hne
is a wind instrument that has sextuple reeds called hnegan.
Its made from the young leaf of the toddy palm and wood.
It has seven finger holes set in a straight line at the front with a
bell hanging at the top.
It is used in an ensemble together with the xylophone, tuned
gongs, and tuned drums.
 Patala
Is a large wooden xylophone quite similar to the Cambodian
roneat and the Thai ranaat.
it consists of 24 bamboo plates placed on a resonator.
It is played by using a mallet.
 Si

 Is a pair of brass cymbals held by the singer or vocalist.

 The brass cymbals are clicked together on the weak beats
 Wa
 Is a wooden clapper that takes the shape of a castanet.
 It is used to emphasize the accent.
 Kyizi
Is a flat triangular gong made of solid brass.
Its is often used in ceremonies in the temple or by monks as
they walk on the street.
It is struck by a wooden mallet.
That would be all
and

For listening