The Development of a Performance Pattern and Form of a Poeng Mang Khok

Abstract

The development of a performance pattern and image of a poeng mang khok (a traditional Thai percussion instrument) is a qualitative research which aim to enhance the poeng mang khoks performing skills, and serve as a guideline for those who are interested in studying this kind of drums. The results revealed that the performance pattern developed from this research is a mixture of the themes and the heterophony. The pattern was derived from the original poeng mang khok, which is a set of 7 poeng mang drums, changed into 15 drums. The size of the drums was adjusted to be smaller, and the holder of those drums was made larger in order to hold all the drums. In addition, each drum’s sound was checked and tuned up with the khong Mon wong yai (a circle instrument with gongs). The researcher was presenting the performance pattern and image of a poeng mang khok to the experts and had them evaluate the pattern following the evaluation form developed by the researcher. The results, in terms of sound of a poeng mang khok, show that when it is performed together with the piphat Mon ensemble, its harmony is at a very high level. Regarding performance skills, the performer’s skills are at a high level. In terms of the image of a transformed poeng mang khok, it is suitable; however, there may be drawbacks for performers who are not familiar with the newly developed poeng mang khok. To conclude, this research conforms with the performance skills of the performer which reflects the high-level potential that is recognized domestically and internationally, and the pattern serves as a guideline for playing a poeng mang khok harmoniously and suitably in a new way in the piphat Mon ensemble. Moreover, it serves as a performance pattern for those who are interested in playing this kind of drums.