''Wong khrueang sai'' (, , literally "string ensemble") is a musical ensemble in Thai classical music which consists primarily of

string instrument In musical instrument classification, string instruments, or chordophones, are musical instruments that produce sound from vibrating strings when a performer strums, plucks, strikes or sounds the strings in varying manners. Musicians play some ...

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

fiddle A fiddle is a Bow (music), bowed String instrument, string musical instrument, most often a violin or a bass. It is a colloquial term for the violin, used by players in all genres, including European classical music, classical music. Althou ...

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

zither Zither (; , from the Greek ''cithara'') is a class of stringed instruments. The modern instrument has many strings stretched across a thin, flat body. Zithers are typically played by strumming or plucking the strings with the fingers or a ...

called ''jakhe'', a vertical duct

flute The flute is a member of a family of musical instruments in the woodwind group. Like all woodwinds, flutes are aerophones, producing sound with a vibrating column of air. Flutes produce sound when the player's air flows across an opening. In th ...

called '' khlui'', 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 ...

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'' may be added as well. The '' khim'' (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 referred to as a fiddle, is a wooden chordophone, and is the smallest, and thus highest-pitched instrument (soprano) in regular use in the violin family. Smaller violin-type instruments exist, including the violino picc ...

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 an The arts, art form, consisting of sequences of body movements with aesthetic and often Symbol, symbolic value, either improvised or purposefully selected. Dance can be categorized and described by its choreography, by its repertoir ...

s, and

holiday A holiday is a day or other period of time set aside for festivals or recreation. ''Public holidays'' are set by public authorities and vary by state or region. Religious holidays are set by religious organisations for their members and are often ...

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'' () is an ensemble consisting of one each of the following instruments: #'' Ching (musical instrument), ching'' - timekeeper of ensemble #'' saw duang'' #'' saw u'' #'' khlui'' #''

thon Thon may refer to: * Thon (mythology), a figure from Greek mythology *Thon (name), a surname and given name * Thon (river), northern France * Thon ''(A Canticle for Leibowitz)'', an academic rank similar to a university "don" in the science fic ...

'' and '' rammana'' - secondary timekeeper #'' jakhe'' This kind of ensemble is used when there is limit of space. It is also called ''wong khrueang sai wong lek'' () or ''wong khrueang sai khurang diao'' (วงเครื่องสายเครื่องเดี่ยว).

Khrueang sai khu

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

Khrueang sai pi chawa

''Wong khrueang sai pi chawa'' () 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 Music of Thailand Classical and art music traditions