Thai Boxing Musical Instruments.

Muay Thai is still developing, but what remains unchanged is the use of the pipe and the drums as musical accompaniments for the matches, and is considered an unique characteristic of Muay Thai. rnFor dancing one may use a record player, but for thai boxing it is imperative to have live music. For the prefight rituals and during the fight itself the tempo of music is increased to encourage the fighters to put forth their best efforts. rnThere are three Thai musical instruments for boxing. rnTraditional Thai instruments used during and before the fights are the Pi, the Ching and the Glawng Khaek. rnThe Pi rnThe Pi Chawa or Java Pipe, it is believed, owes its origin to India where the Javanese secured their model. rnIt appears that the instrument was used in bothRoyal and Army processions and in accompanying the traditional Thai fencing bouts. rnThe stirring sound which it makes is somewhat like the Chanta on Scotch Bag Pipes. The Pi Chawa is made in two sections; a cylindrical body ten 3/4 " in length and a bell or horn in five 1/2 "long. rnIt is made of hardwood or ivory or both. Along the bodies are seven finger holes. Four pieces of reed in double pairs are tied to a small metal tube. rnThe end of the tube is inserted into the body of the instrument and wrapped with thread to make the connection sang. rnAt rhis end of the tube there is also a small round convex piece of metal or coconut shell to support the performer?s lip. rnThe Ching rnThe Ching which is a percussion instrument of the cymbal type comes in pairs and is made of a thick metal shaped like a tea-cup or hollow cone. rnThe Ching is played by hitting the two pieces together. Each one measures about 6-7 cm, two 1/2"-2 3/4 : in diameter. rnAt the apex of each there is a small hole through which a cord is passed. A knot at each end of the cord fits inside the apex of the cymbal and prevents the cord from slipping through. rnThe cord fastens the two cymbals together and holds them in playing positions. rnThe function of the Ching is to keep time and to beat out the rhythm. rnThe name Ching is onomatopoetic, coming from the sound made when the two edges of the cymbals are struck together and the sound is allowed to persist. rnIt is a melodious and chiming sound. When the two cymbals are struck together and then held together, it is produces a dull clapping sound. rnThe Glawng Khaek rnThe Glawng Khaek has a long cylindrical body which is made of hardwood and is 58 cm. (23") in length. rnThe heads are of unequal size, the larger being 20 cm. (8") in diameter called Na rui (literally "loose") and the smaller 18 cm. (7") in diameter called Na tan ("outer head"). rnThe two heads are made of calfskin or goatskin. rnOriginally the two heads were tied down with cane or rattan which was split in half and tied apart, but now owing to the difficulty obtaining good rattan and cane, leather tongs are usually used. rnThe drums are used in pairs and are of different pitches. The higher toned drum is called tua pu (male) and the lower toned drum as tua mia (female). rnThey are played with the palms and the fingers of the hands and both drumheads are used. rnThere is one player for each drum. A complex rhythmic line is created by the inter-mingling and alternating of the sounds of the two drums.