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Performing Arts Domain
Intellectual Cultural Heritage
33
Pi Phat ensemble
Pi Phat
is a type of Thai musical ensemble
comprising mainly the “striking instruments”, namely
Ranat Ek, Ranat Thum, Ranat ThumLek, Khong Wong Yai,
and Khong Wong Lek; wind instruments - such as
Pi, Khlui; and ‘tempo control and time marking
i ns t rument s ’ such as Ta-phon, Klong That ,
for example.
Pi Phat embraces aspects of culture that include
the musical instruments used in the ensemble,
the beliefs, values, norms, customs, traditions, and
rules. Pi Phat ensemble is performed in the royal
ceremonies and public festivities in musical concerts
or as an accompaniment to the Khon (mask dance
drama), Nang Yai (grand shadow puppet spectacle),
Lakhon (dance drama) , Hun Krabok (bamboo
puppet theatre), and Li-ke (folk dance drama). Pi Phat
ensemble also features during sorrowful occasions
related to the death rituals -- a funeral ceremony
where the Buddhist monks perform a funeral chant
and a cremation, for example.
Pi Phat ensemble is sub-divided into six sub-types
as follows:
1. Pi Phat Mai Khaeng ensemble
Pi Phat Mai Khaeng is the prototype of all other
sub-types of Pi Phat ensemble. Previously called
Phin Phat ensemble, it was changed to the presently
popular name Pi Phat ensemble by HRH Prince Naritsara
Nuwattiwong. Mai Khaeng, literally “hard wooden
stick”, refers to the unpadded wooden mallets for
striking on the bars of the Ranat Ek (Ranat - Thai
xylophone; Ek - the main or leading instrument in the
ensemble). Pi Phat Mai Khaeng ensemble features
in royal ceremonies and commoners’ r ites --
the merit-making during the house-warming rite,
the ordination ceremony, and the religious festivals.
It is also used to accompany dramatic performances
and today it also performs in music concerts.
2. Pi Phat Se-pha ensemble
Created during the reign of King Rama II, this
sub-type introduced either Luk Poeng or Song Na
(two-faced) drum into the Pi Phat Khrueang Ha
(five instruments) ensemble. The drum beats time
and the rhythmi c pat tern , or Na Thap , as
the ensemble accompanies the Se-pha singing,
Lakhon Se-pha performance, or performs in music
concerts.
3. Pi Phat Mai Nuam ensemble
Pi Phat Mai Nuam was introduced during the reign
of King Rama V by Chao Phraya Thewetwongwiwat
(Mom Ratchawong (a royal title) Lan Kunchon), who
re-arranged the Pi Phat band as well as the instrumental
and the accompaniment parts. He substituted Khlui
Phiang O (medium size fipple flute) and Khlui Lip
(small size fipple flute) for Pi Nai (soprano oboe) and
Pi Nok (sopranino oboe) and added So U (alto fiddle)
to the ensemble. Unpadded wooden mallets
are replaced by padded wooden mallets for the
Ranat Ek (soprano bamboo xylophone). Pi Phat
Mai Nuam ensemble performs in accompaniment to
the Khon and Lakhon.