Instruments

Gamelan music is complicated. It is

an ancient form of music and has

been handed down for many

generations, never written down, but

learned by being played. Gamelan is

an essential part of Indonesian life.

It is slightly different from island to

island.

consists of all kinds of instruments (plucked,

bowed string, percussion and woodwind

instruments). There are four sub kinds

of Wong Mahori, viz. Wong Mahori Khrueang Si,

Wong Mahori Khrueang Hok, Wong Mahori

Khrueang Diao and Wong Mahori Khrueang

Khu.The number of musical instruments in

these sub groups ranges from six to twenty-

three pieces.

The Jakhay is generally believed to have evolved

from the Indian instrument the "Vina" or

"Bina".

The name Jakhay comes from the Thai word Ja-

ra-ke which means Crocodile the instrument

resembling the shape of one.The resemblance to

a crocodile was more prominent in the earlier

days when the resonance chamber or body of

the instrument was made to resemble a crocodile

body and the front end was carved in the shape

of crocodile jaws.These days the resemblance is

more general way.

The instrument is usually played in a floor sitting

position with the instrument horizontal to the

floorboards.The instrument has three strings which

stretch all the way along the body, and up onto the neck .

Of the three strings two are made of gut and one of

brass wire.Each string is attached to a tuning peg

mounted in the neck.The strings pass over 11 frets ,the

height of which is graded from 2cm near the sound

chamber to 3.5 cm nearest to the tuning pegs.The strings

are plucked with a plectrum made of bone or ivory.

The body section is 9-11 cm (3 1/2" - 4 1/2") deep.52

cm (20 1/2") long and 28 cm(11") wide.The tail or neck

is 81 cm (32") long.The entire length of the instrument

130-132 cm (52").