The Development of the Look Woad: A Musical Instrument from Local Wisdom to Innovation for the Elderly in Roi Et Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to: study the history and develop the Look Woad musical instrument innovation for the elderly, test the instrument’s efficiency against the 75/75 criterion, and evaluate the satisfaction of participants in the musical activity. The design for this research and innovation development utilized purposive sampling for data sources. This involved interviewing five experts to study the knowledge base for developing the "Look Woad" musical instrument and the guidelines for its creation. Five experts reviewed the suitability and consistency of the instrument and the user manual. Five experts in Thai and local folk music checked the quality and utility of the instrument. The experimental phase used volunteer sampling and was divided into three groups: a Small Group (1:1) consisting of 3 elderly persons of mixed levels (not the actual data collection group); a Medium Group (1:10) consisting of 10 elderly persons of mixed ability levels (also not the actual data collection group); and the Actual Data Collection Group consisting of a total of 90 elderly persons, with each group having spatial/geographical differences. The data collection instruments used were: interview forms, forms for assessing the correctness and suitability of the instrument, performance skill assessment forms, and activity satisfaction assessment forms. The quality of these instruments was determined by a consistency and suitability review conducted by three experts.

The research findings regarding the study of the history and the development of the musical instrument innovation showed that the Look Woad instrument has a history rooted in folklore, the belief in Phaya Thaen (a mythical celestial being), and its past use as a signaling device by hunters. It is a wind instrument with a central core that can be rotated to produce the desired sound. The approach to developing the Look Woad instrument for the elderly was inspired by the playing principle of the Angklung, where each instrument plays only one note. This was intended to focus on enabling the elderly to easily practice their musical skills, coupled with repeated practice by learning songs from simple to difficult, and using familiar tunes.

The results of the efficiency test for the Look Woad musical instrument showed that the instrumental efficiency, E1/E2, had an average value of 75.07/75.00, which meets the 75/75 standard criterion. Regarding the satisfaction assessment of the elderly participants in the activity, the level of satisfaction was found to be at the highest level, with a mean score of 4.66 and a standard deviation of 0.20. Furthermore, the experts’ evaluation concerning the feasibility, correctness according to principles, and accuracy of the Look Woad instrument was also at the highest level (Mean= 4.56, S.D. = 0.27). The research results indicate that the Look Woad is an innovative musical instrument that can effectively promote musical learning among the elderly in Roi Et Province and serves as a medium to enhance the emotional and social well-being of the elderly through creative musical activities.