“Ask and it will be given

to you; seek and you will

find; knock and the door
will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7
 8th Grade
Philippians

Music of
Southeast Asia
By: Gulliver B. Labra
 Learning Competencies

listens perceptively to analyzes musical elements of

music of Southeast Asia selected songs and instrumental
pieces heard and performed

performs music from evaluates music and music

Southeast Asia with own performances using guided
accompaniment rubrics applying knowledge of
musical elements and style.
Cambodia
• known as Kâmpŭchéa
• influenced by ancient forms.
• feature choruses with large orchestras
• Cambodian culture
• The Pinpeat (similar to the Piphat
ensemble of Thailand)
 Indonesia
● Through interaction with other cultures such as
Indian, Arabic, Chinese and European, a wide
range of musical styles has been developed.

Music scales:
● Slendro – five (5) equidistant tones in octave
● Peloq – heptatonic (7) tone scale with semi tone

● Polyphonic stratification kind of melody is a

result of hocket/Interlock.
● Interlocking is a common technique used in gong
ensembles.
● Irama – is an Indonesian term for tempo
Indonesia
● Gamelan orchestra is the most popular
form of music in Indonesia.

Vocal music is used as ornamentation of the

Gamelan.

● Pesindhen
● Gerong
 Myanmar
• known as Burma until 1989
• Music of Myanmar has similarities with many
other musical traditions in the region,
including Chinese music and Thai music.
• The Hsaing Waing a traditional Burmese
musical ensemble consisting largely of drums
and gongs. 
• Musical instruments are categorized into 2
types, the loud sounding (Hsaing Waing) and
soft sounding (Saung Gauk)
• Mahagita - extensive collection of classical
songs
Malaysia 1. West Malaysia – also known as
Peninsular Malaysia
2. East Malaysia consists of thirteen
states and three federal
territories.

Multiethnic and multi-cultural

1. Malay 2. Chinese 3. Indian 4. Iban 5.
Dayak 6. Kadazandusun 7. Eurasians

The music of Malaysia may be

categorized into two types:
1. Classical and Folk music
2. Syncretic or Acculturated music
Malaysia
Musical ensembles and types of
performances in Malaysia:

Agung and Kulintang

gong-based musical ensemble commonly
used in funerals and weddings

Kertok
consists of xylophones played swiftly and
rhythmically

Dikir Barat
performed by singing in groups and often in
a competitive manner

Silat Melayu
form of martial art that is similar to t’ai chi
Thailand
• known as Siam
• “Muang Thai,” which means “Land of the
Free.”
• Music is theoretically based on the five-tone
or seven-tone scale system.
• Thai folk music consists of simple songs with
simple melodic lines.
Three primary instrumental ensembles:
1. Piphat a mid-sized orchestra that is performed in
either outdoor style with hard mallets or indoor
style with padded mallets.
2. Khrueang Sai an orchestra that combines some of
the percussion and wind instruments of the Piphat
with an expanded string section.
3. Mahori ensemble is traditionally played by
women in the courts of Central Thailand and
Cambodia.
 Laos
• known as Lao People’s Democratic Republic
• Themes are drawn from Hindu mythology, the
Buddhist Jatakatales, and local legends.
The Lao orchestra can be divided into two
categories:

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.
 Vietnam
• known as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
• Vietnamese music refers to the ethnic music
that originated from the "Kinh" people of
Vietnam.
• Vietnamese music shows signs of Indian
influences.

Traditional and Folk Music

• Imperial court music Nha nhac that was
popularly performed during the Tran Dynasty to the
Nguyen Dynasty.

• Folk music

• Religious and Ceremonial music

Singapore
• independent republic
• Singapore’s cultural life reflects its
colonization by the British Empire and its
diverse population.
• 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.
Written Activity

In your notebook, write a sentences that describe

Southeast Asian music that starts with the letters
spelling out S.O.U.T.H.E.A.S.T A.S.I.A.