Composition Inspired by ASEAN Drums: Sakodai

Abstract

This article describes the research behind a composition named Sakodai which is based on musical dialects found in Cambodia. Cambodia is one of the 10 countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This Cambodian drum inspired composition is one of a set of 11 compositions titled ASEAN Drums where representative drums from each ASEAN country were selected (2 for each drum in Singapore). The drums included are the Sakodai of Cambodia, Sabadchai of Thailand, Rebana Anak of Brunei, Pat Waing of Myanmar, Debakan of the Philippines, Rebana Ibu of Malaysia, Ping of Lao, Tay Son of Vietnam, Kendang of Indonesia and versions of Chinese drums and Indian Tablas from Singapore. Using these drums, 11 distinctive musical pieces were composed based on Thai traditional music theories and concepts. In this article, the composition inspired by rhythm patterns of the Cambodia Sakodai hand drum has been selected to be presented and discussed. The resulting piece is based on one Khmer dialect comprised of four lines with a medium tempo performed by a modified Thai Kantrum ensemble rooted in the dialect of traditional Khmer folk music from Cambodia.