''Wong khrueang sai'' ( th, วงเครื่องสาย, , literally "string ensemble") is a musical ensemble in

Thai classical music The music of Thailand reflects its geographic position at the intersection of China and India, and reflects trade routes that have historically included Africa, Greece and Rome. Traditional Thai musical instruments are varied and reflect ancient ...

which consists primarily of

string instrument String instruments, stringed instruments, or chordophones are musical instruments that produce sound from vibrating strings when a performer plays or sounds the strings in some manner. Musicians play some string instruments by plucking the s ...

s. A typical ''khrueang sai'' ensemble features two two-string

fiddle A fiddle is a bowed string musical instrument, most often a violin. It is a colloquial term for the violin, used by players in all genres, including classical music. Although in many cases violins and fiddles are essentially synonymous, the ...

s, one high and one low (''saw duang'' and ''saw u''), a three-string

zither Zithers (; , from the Greek word ''cithara'') are a class of stringed instruments. Historically, the name has been applied to any instrument of the psaltery family, or to an instrument consisting of many strings stretched across a thin, flat b ...

called ''jakhe'', a vertical duct

flute The flute is a family of classical music instrument in the woodwind group. Like all woodwinds, flutes are aerophones, meaning they make sound by vibrating a column of air. However, unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is a reedless ...

called ''

khlui The ''khlui'' ( th, ขลุ่ย, ) is a vertical duct bamboo flute from Thailand. Originated before or during the Sukhothai period (AD 1238–1583) along with many other Thai instruments. But, it was officially recorded as a Thai instrum ...

'', hand

drum The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments. In the Hornbostel-Sachs classification system, it is a membranophone. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a sh ...

s, and various

cymbal A cymbal is a common percussion instrument. Often used in pairs, cymbals consist of thin, normally round plates of various alloys. The majority of cymbals are of indefinite pitch, although small disc-shaped cymbals based on ancient designs sou ...

s. Depending on the size of the ensemble, instruments may be doubled or left out. A three-string spike fiddle called ''

saw sam sai The ''saw sam sai'' ( th, ซอสามสาย, , , also spelled ''saw samsai'', and occasionally called simply ''sam sai''; literally 'three-stringed fiddle') is a traditional bowed string instrument of Thailand. It is in the ''saw'' family ...

'' may be added as well. The ''

khim The ''khim'' ( th, ขิม ; lo, ຂິມ ; km, ឃឹម ) is a stringed musical instrument derived from the Mesopotamian or Persian Santur. It is similar to the Hammered Dulcimer or Cimbalom. This ''khim'' was introduced to Thailand fro ...

'' (hammered dulcimer) has become popular and is also used in this ensemble. In the 20th century, Western instruments such as the

violin The violin, sometimes known as a '' fiddle'', is a wooden chordophone (string instrument) in the violin family. Most violins have a hollow wooden body. It is the smallest and thus highest-pitched instrument (soprano) in the family in regula ...

or organ have also occasionally been integrated into ''khrueang sai'' ensembles.

Playing context

The ''khrueang sai'' is one of the quietest and most intimate ensembles in Thai classical music. It is used to accompany singing,

dance Dance is a performing art form consisting of sequences of movement, either improvised or purposefully selected. This movement has aesthetic and often symbolic value. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoi ...

s, and

holiday A holiday is a day set aside by custom or by law on which normal activities, especially business or work including school, are suspended or reduced. Generally, holidays are intended to allow individuals to celebrate or commemorate an event or tr ...

s. It also used in impromptu occasions requiring music.

Varieties

The following are some of the ensemble types, depending on the occasion: *Khrueang sai wong lek *Khrueang sai khrueang khu *Khrueang sai pi chawa *Khrueang sai praso

Here is the definition of the ''khrueang sai'' according to the NIU South East Asia Studies department: Sound clips are available at the website above for all Thai ensembles.

Types of ''wong khrueang sai''

Khrueang sai diao

''Wong khrueang sai diao'' ( th, วงเครื่องสายเดี่ยว) is an ensemble consisting of one each of the following instruments: #'' Ching (musical instrument), ching'' - timekeeper of ensemble #''

saw duang A saw is a tool consisting of a tough blade, wire, or chain with a hard toothed edge. It is used to cut through material, very often wood, though sometimes metal or stone. The cut is made by placing the toothed edge against the material and m ...

'' #''

saw u The ''saw u'' ( th, ซออู้, , ; also spelled ''saw ou'') is a Thai bowed string instrument. It has a lower pitch than the saw duang and is the lowest sounding of the saw family. Reliable evidence shows that pattern of the Saw U was prob ...

'' #''

'' #'' thon'' and ''

rammana The ''thon and rammana'' ( th, โทนรำมะนา, ) are hand drums played as a pair in Thai classical music. It consists of two drums: the ''thon'' (โทน), a goblet drum with a ceramic or wooden body and the '' rammana'' (รำม ...

'' - secondary timekeeper #''

jakhe The ''chakhe'' ( Lao: ຈະເຂ້, , th, จะเข้, , also spelled ''jakhe'' or ''ja-khe''), or ''krapeu'' ( km, ក្រពើ; also called ''takhe'', km, តាខេ, ''takhe'', ''takkhe'' or ''charakhe''), is a fretted floor zith ...

'' This kind of ensemble is used when there is limit of space. It is also called ''wong khrueang sai wong lek'' ( th, วงเครื่องสายวงเล็ก) or ''wong khrueang sai khurang diao'' (วงเครื่องสายเครื่องเดี่ยว).

Khrueang sai khu

''Wong khrueang sai khu'' ( th, วงเครื่องสายคู่) is an ensemble consisting of instruments as described in the ''khrueang sai diao'' ensemble, but double in number (except ''ching'', ''thon'', and ''rammana''). It is also called ''wong khrueang sai wong yai'' (วงเครื่องสายวงใหญ่).

Khrueang sai prasom

''Wong khrueang sai prasom'' ( th, วงเครื่องสายประสม หรือ วงเครื่องสายผสม) is an ensemble arranged by mixing ''khrueang sai diao'' or ''khrueang sai khu'' with other instruments, such as organ, ranad ek, khim and also mixed with the ''

piphat A ''piphat'' is a kind of ensemble in the classical music of Thailand, which features wind and percussion instruments. It is considered the primary form of ensemble for the interpretation of the most sacred and "high-class" compositions of the ...

'' ensemble to create new ensemble called ''khrueang sai prasom piphat'' (เครื่องสายประสมปี่พาทย์).

Khrueang sai pi chawa

''Wong khrueang sai pi chawa'' ( th, วงเครื่องสายปี่ชวา) is an ensemble arranged by adding ''pi chawa'' (ปี่ชวา), ''glong khaek'' (กลองแขก), and ''krap'' (กรับ) to the ''wong khrueang sai diao''. It is usually played in funeral ceremonies.

References

Information about wong khrueang sai (Thai)

{{ThaiMusicalEnsembles Thai music Classical and art music traditions