Listen to Glawng That

    Almost all the Thai percussion instruments utilizing stretched hide leather or skin are referred to by a generic name. Glawng means drum. The drum which the Thai devised in former times were of the type with two heads stretched tightly and fastened down with pegs or nails.

    The drum which has been used with the piphat (percussion) ensemble from earliest times is called glawng that. Originally only one drum was used with the piphat ensemble, but during the reign of King Rama II (1809-1824), another was added. One drum has a relatively high tone and is call male. The other drum gives a relatively low tone and is called female.

Listen to Ta Phon

    In the old books, there is mention of an instrument called saphon which is probably similar to or the same instrument as the ta phon. In India this type of drum is played held on the lap or suspended from straps over the shoulders when played while standing. As for the Thai drum, it is put on a stand and played on both heads with the palms of the hand and the fingers. The ta phon is one of the rhythm instruments used in the pi phat ensemble.

Listen to Thone-Ram mana

     This drum resembles the preceding drum in shape, but the body is made of baked clay or earth--i.e, it is a pottery or ceramic body. The bowl-shaped support over which the head is stretched. It is fastened down with split and polished rattan or strands of braided silk. For this head various skin are used: calf, goat, or often, snake skin--usually of the python or boa -constrictor. The drum is played with one hand, the other controlling the tone by opening or closing the open end of the vase-like body. Because this instrument is used in those ensembles containing string ensemble and mahori ensemble—it is known as the thone mahori. Only one drum is used, but it is played in combination with the ram mana.

The ram mana is a shallow drum with one head which is about the same size and very much like a tambourine, but without the “ jangle” the small, metal discs which rattle when the tambourine is shaken. The circular edge of the body over which the head is stretched is wider in diameter than the circular edge at the other end of the body. The frame is somewhat like a shallow, narrow-edged soup plate without the bottom. It is thought that the name for this instrument came from Malaya became there is a Malayan called rabana or rebana which gives a similar sound.

Listen to Glawng Khaek

     The glawng khaek has a long, cylindrical body, which in made of hardwood. The drums are used in pairs and are of different pitches. The higher-toned drum is referred to as “male," and the lower-toned drum, as “female." They are played with the palms and fingers of the hand, and both drumheads are played with the palms and fingers of the hand, and both drumheads are used. There is one player for each drum. A complex rhythmic line is created by the intermingling of the two drums.