Basic Musical Performance Practice for the Khong Wong Yai (Traditional Thai Large Gong Circle)

Abstract

The khong wong yai (traditional Thai large gong circle) is a melodic percussion instrument that performs the basic melody of the Thai classical musical ensemble. To perform various types of Thai classical music instruments, it is initially compulsory for the musicians who play the percussion instruments to learn about the basic practice of the khong wong yai. Therefore, the basic performing practice of the khong wong yai becomes the fundamental music skill practice for every percussion instrument.

The fundamental skills of the khong wong yai comprise seating position, posture for holding a pair of mallets, and the exercises as follows: fourth interval, octave, upward and downward note exercises for both left and right hands, octave both hands (upward and downward), alternate hands upward and downward, three and four notes up-down ward notes, four notes with skipping note order pattern, divided hand usage, the kro(trilling), the sa-bat (triple notes), and mixed hand style usages through the piece titled “Ho” (flying of the angel). Hence, the learners should have done all basic khon wong yai exercises to apply them to perform good quality Thai classical music and advance their music skills in the future.