Myanmarpedia: Myanmar Traditional Music

Scales
by U Minn Kyi

To have a survey on fundamentals of Myanmar music scales, they are not systematically defined. As I have mentioned in introduction, the music was influenced by foreign culture. As for musical instrument, there is no problem if tunes are a little against. Myanmar musicians are creating music as standard tunes for basic tunes. Myanmar started from a musical instrument called Hne (Myanmar oboe). It has seven basic tunes. They are called in Sanskrit language. We can make a guess that it was mixed with standard Thailand tunes.

International notes of music are Do (C),Re(D),Me(E),FA(F),So(G)La(A) and Te(B). As for Myanmar harp, the method of naming is Tapauk (first note C ), Khunhit Pauk (seventh note D), Chauk Pauk(sixth note E 1/4 lower sound), Nga Pauk (fifth note F 1/4 high sound),Lay Pauk (fourth note G),Thone Pauk(third note A)and Ngha Pauk(second note B 1/4 lower sound)

Although Myanmar tune is pentatonic (five sound tune), it can be changed into three sounds. Nga Pauk(fifth note), Chauk Pauk(sixth note)and Ngha Pauk(second note)are half sound. Sixth note is a little lower than E. Fifth note is a little higher than F.Second notes is a little lower than B.

Myanmar Scales

Key	Animal	Musical Notes	Kinds of Harp

C	Peacock	Tapauk	Dukara
B
	Elephant	Ngha Pauk	Nhin Lone
A	Horse	Thone Pauk	Chauk Thwai Nhin

G	Cuckoo	Lay Pauk	Auk Pyun
	Crane	Nga Pauk	Palei
F
E
	Sheep	Chauk Pauk	Myin saing
D	Cow	Khunhit Pauk	Pyi Taw Pyan

C	Peacock	Tapauk	Dukara

Characteristic of Myanmar Music by

Myanmar music is completely different from western music. It is said that Myanmar music has musical timing but no harmony. So Myanmar music cannot develop into combination for it does not use harmony. To put in a nutshell, the music is to play same melody.

The basic of Myanmar music is "Se"(brass instrument that makes sounds like a triangle) and "Wa"(bamboo instrument that makes sounds like a castanets). 3/4 timing or 6/8 of western music is not used in Myanmar.

The first timing is 4/4 timing and is called Nayee Se. The second and the third timing is 2/4 timing. The second timing has some time gap. It is called Walet Se. The third timing is 8/16 timing and has no time gap. And it is called Walet Amyan. The fourth is called Sone Se. Se and Wa are played at the same time.


se	se	wa	blank


wa	se	se	blank


se	wa


wa	se


se	wa	se	wa


se	wa	se	wa


se	wa	se	wa	se	wa	se	wa


wa	se	wa	se	wa	se	wa	se

In combining music and singing, music is not a supporting accompaniment to singing. Both are equally and harmoniously combined. The vocalist has to keep in tune with the music and timing. The instrument player also has to keep in tune with the singing and timing. As long as the singer and instrument are in tune with each other both can create innovations within the frame of their tune.

Myanmar musicians do not use the sheets of notes when they play music. Music is simply played off-hand. Myanmar musician must be able to variety the style every time they play.

It is accepted as an axiom by Myanmar musicians that variation style in music playing the manifestation of the full capacity of musical ability.

There are some people who say that there is no precision in Myanmar music. It probably is true. It is so because of that lack of precision. Myanmar musicians can put their instruments to many variations as they like. Music is created by both musician and vocalist.

At this point, you will probably notice that it is similar to jazz. That is modern jazz. You will notice the illusion that ancient Myanmar music was developed under the influence of jazz music.

To compare Myanmar music to western music, we can notice the difference of instrument and tunes. There will be a little different fact if studies are made worldwide. For example, the harmony of each people in the world is not so universal like that. On the other hand, it is most common in Myanmar music. But in western music, it is said to be created with special effects. It might be natural to find Myanmar music is like with jazz, which is Africa origin to some extent.

Myanmar Traditional Musical Instruments

Myanmar traditional musical instruments can be divided into six groups.

1.	Kyey	:	Metal instruments
2.	Kyo	:	String instruments
3.	Thaye	:	Instruments made of leather
4.	Lei	:	Wind instruments
5.	Let Khoke	:	Percussion instruments used for timing; clappers
6.	Patala	:	Xylophone

1. Kyey instruments are


Linkwin (cymbals)		Kyey Naung (brass gong)

Others are Maung (gong), Kyey Se (triangular gong), Swei Lei (little bells), Chu (jingle) Se, Wa Maung (gong), Teta Maung (gong), Kaung Laung, Tangyaung, Kyaw etc.

2. Kyo instruments are


Saung(harp)

Others are Mi Gaung (three stringed musical instrument in the shape of a crocodile), Aung (kind of medieval stringed instrument), Tayaw and etc.

3. Thaye instruments are


Oozi		Dobat

Byaw (drum played with striker)

Saing (circle of various drums), Bongyi (big drum), Bontoe(short drum),Bonshe(long drum), Sitoe(short drum shape like a barrel), Sa Khunt(a kind of drum) and etc.