17. Gamelan music is complicated. It is
an ancient form of music and has
been handed down for many
generations, never written down, but
learned by being played. Gamelan is
an essential part of Indonesian life.
It is slightly different from island to
island.
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78.
79. consists of all kinds of instruments (plucked,
bowed string, percussion and woodwind
instruments). There are four sub kinds
of Wong Mahori, viz. Wong Mahori Khrueang Si,
Wong Mahori Khrueang Hok, Wong Mahori
Khrueang Diao and Wong Mahori Khrueang
Khu.The number of musical instruments in
these sub groups ranges from six to twenty-
three pieces.
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98. The Jakhay is generally believed to have evolved
from the Indian instrument the "Vina" or
"Bina".
The name Jakhay comes from the Thai word Ja-
ra-ke which means Crocodile the instrument
resembling the shape of one.The resemblance to
a crocodile was more prominent in the earlier
days when the resonance chamber or body of
the instrument was made to resemble a crocodile
body and the front end was carved in the shape
of crocodile jaws.These days the resemblance is
more general way.
99. The instrument is usually played in a floor sitting
position with the instrument horizontal to the
floorboards.The instrument has three strings which
stretch all the way along the body, and up onto the neck .
Of the three strings two are made of gut and one of
brass wire.Each string is attached to a tuning peg
mounted in the neck.The strings pass over 11 frets ,the
height of which is graded from 2cm near the sound
chamber to 3.5 cm nearest to the tuning pegs.The strings
are plucked with a plectrum made of bone or ivory.
The body section is 9-11 cm (3 1/2" - 4 1/2") deep.52
cm (20 1/2") long and 28 cm(11") wide.The tail or neck
is 81 cm (32") long.The entire length of the instrument
130-132 cm (52").
