Tai Yai’s traditional tall narrow drum band, Thoed Thai village, Chiang Rai

Abstract

The objective of this academic article was to know the types of music and performance from Tai Yai’s traditional tall narrow drum band, Thoed Thai village, Chiang Rai province, which is the unique lifestyle of Tai Yai ethnic group such as dancing, performance, song lyrics, and music of Tai Yai band. The findings presented in the academic article, Tai Yai’s traditional tall narrow drum band, Thoed Thai village, Chiang Rai province, included: 1) 3 important musical instruments of Tai Yai’s traditional tall narrow drum band are (1) tall narrow drums, (2) cymbals, (3) gong (a special type of gong can be played 7 different sounds by a single person); 2) steps of playing music of the band is started by brass percussion instruments, followed by cymbals, and drums respectively. There is no fixed end of playing as it depended on someone in the band giving a signal to end; 3) a bird dance (fon nok), the dance with rhythm of Tai Yai’s tall narrow drums as dancers wearing clothes as Kinnaree (a half-bird half-woman creature); 4) Tai Yai’s annual event of music performance and dance competition in each area; 5) cultural inheritance of Tai Yai ethnic group; 6) Tai Yai ethnic group’s religious; 7) other musical instruments; 8) Tai Yai ethnic group’s music. Based on the study, it was showed holistic knowledge of Tai Yai’s traditional tall narrow drum band, Thoed Thai village, Chiang Rai province, which would be benefit to the person to study or build on knowledge in the future.