Pi Chanai: Musical Form and Repertoire

Abstract

Pi Chanai is a musical instrument has been used as part of a Royal Ceremony accompanied by a drum called Klong Chana how it became the name of ensemble :
Pi Chanai – Klong chana.  Pi chanai is made in 2 parts, the upper part where the reed is inserted on the top; the four small pieces of palm leaf tied to a small metal tube fit in
a small round of coconut shell, along the body has 7 finger holes on the front and another one for the thumb, another part uses as bell, when 2 parts join it is 23 cm in length. It is
made of the wood or ivory. Pi Chanai produces the loud sound suitable for the outdoor performance accompanied by the large number of Klong chana. The Key of Pi Chanai
is free therefore, it isn’t accompanied other pitched instrument or join any Thai classical ensemble. The music has been passed through a generation to generation. There are two
styles of Pi Chanai, which master musicians Kru Tong Yenklao and Kru Sombut. The music of Pi Chanai has been known as Pleng Roy Dok or Pleng Sok Loy Lom, where the musician
plays a long tone with various unique techniques. Pleng Roy Dok has 4 parts with short melodies. The musical structure in similar to the tradition form of Thai music. The song
has as an ending phrase as a sing for repetitions or as a cue for another player to join in the music.