The Khim in Thai Culture Jintana T. Barton

Chulalongkorn University Bangkok, Thailand

Khim is from 琴 /qin/Chinese Fujian dialect

The Kind of Khim in Thailand

Khim ThaiKhim Thai

(Thai-style dulcimer)(Thai-style dulcimer)

Khim ChinKhim Chin

(Chinese-style dulcimer -(Chinese-style dulcimer -Yangqin)Yangqin)

Khim Thai Thai-style dulcimer

Khim ChinKhim Chin

(Chinese-style dulcimer -Yangqin)(Chinese-style dulcimer -Yangqin)

Development of Development of Khim Khim

in Thailandin Thailand

Shape of Sound boxShape of Sound box

Butterfly shapeButterfly shape

Irregular rectangle shapeIrregular rectangle shape

Oval shapeOval shape

Butterfly shapeButterfly shape

Irregular rectangle Irregular rectangle shapeshape

Oval shape Oval shape (Fancy Khim)(Fancy Khim)

The Bridge of Thai Khim

Two bridges with 7, 9,11, 15, Two bridges with 7, 9,11, 15, 20 notes20 notes

The Bridge of Thai Khim

Two bridges with 7 notes

The Bridge of Thai KhimThe Bridge of Thai KhimTwo bridges with 9 notesTwo bridges with 9 notes

The Bridge of Thai KhimThe Bridge of Thai KhimTwo bridges with 11notesTwo bridges with 11notes

Stainless strings 15 notesStainless strings 15 notes

Contemporary Thai Khim Contemporary Thai Khim (Chromatic Khim)(Chromatic Khim)

The designon

Khim’s sound box

Mother of pearl in laidMother of pearl in laid

Photo and name on the boxPhoto and name on the box

Lacquer and goldLacquer and gold

Lacquer and gold

Grain of Teak wood

Sound holeSound hole

Name and surnameName and surname

‘‘Phalee’ a character in Phalee’ a character in RamayanaRamayana

Celestial musicianCelestial musician

Materials that make sound of Materials that make sound of KhimKhim

Stringed-KhimStringed-Khim

Metal Plated KhimMetal Plated Khim

Tube KhimTube Khim

Stringed-KhimStringed-Khim(Steel, brass, aluminium)(Steel, brass, aluminium)

Metal Plated KhimMetal Plated Khim

Tube KhimTube Khim

Music notation of Thai Khim

Thai alphabetThai alphabet Arabic numberArabic number

Thai alphabet

ม ด ร - ด - ม ร ร ร- - - - - ซ - - - - ซ ล

- ด - ด - ม ร ด ร ม ร รซ - ด ร มซ ม ร ด - ร

- - - ซ - ซ - ซ ลซ - ซ - ล - - - - - - - - (:- ม

ลาวครวญLaos-Kruan

1 60 - 6 - 10 00- - - - - - - - - 3 - - - - 34

- 10601 0 0

3 - 6 013106 - 0- - - 3 - 3 - 343 - 3 - 4 - - - - - - - - (:

- 1

ลาวครวญLaos-Kruan

SoloSolo

Two Khim Two Khim solosolo

The Khim in Thai cultureThe Khim in Thai culture

‘ ‘Khim’ in Thai – dictionaryKhim’ in Thai – dictionary

‘ ‘Khim’ in Thai novel – Khim’ in Thai novel – KuukarmKuukarm

Khim as a popular Thai Khim as a popular Thai namename

Nick name Nick name

First nameFirst name

Khim-on Khim-on ((ขิ�มอรขิ�มอร))

Khim-kha Khim-kha ((ขิ�มแขิขิ�มแขิ))

Khim-thong Khim-thong ((ขิ�มทองขิ�มทอง))

Khim in Thai Khim in Thai MMusicusic Thai classical musicThai classical music

Khim as a Thai Khim as a Thai classical music classical music instrumentinstrument Thai classical music- Thai classical music-

string ensemblestring ensemble Solo for Khim Solo for Khim

Lao PanLao Pan

Phya SokPhya Sok

Nok Nok KhaminKhamin

Khaek Khaek MonMon

Khim as Thai melodis’ nameKhim as Thai melodis’ name Chin Khim-yai (Chinese big Chin Khim-yai (Chinese big

dulcimer)dulcimer) Chin Khim-lek (Chinese little Chin Khim-lek (Chinese little

dulcimer)dulcimer)

Khim as a major for music Khim as a major for music degree in degree in

universityuniversity

Khim in Thai Khim in Thai Contemporary MContemporary Musicusic

The Khim is played in The Khim is played in many occasions by the many occasions by the band, including folk music, band, including folk music, popular music and green popular music and green music (The music for music (The music for relaxing, healing, soothing, relaxing, healing, soothing, and meditation) such as:and meditation) such as:

The Spell of WhisperingThe Spell of Whispering

by Chamrat Sewatapornby Chamrat Sewataporn

Khim in many special projectsKhim in many special projects

The butterfly shaped The butterfly shaped Khim is in the Thai Khim is in the Thai Community Product Standard project.Community Product Standard project. This This project is a responsibility of the Ministry of project is a responsibility of the Ministry of Industry with the aim to upgrade the quality of Industry with the aim to upgrade the quality of community products to a national and community products to a national and international level.international level. The Khim is now a recognized national standard The Khim is now a recognized national standard product.product.

Entrance ExaminationEntrance Examination

““Middle school Entrance Middle school Entrance Examination through Music Examination through Music Ability Admission Project” Ability Admission Project”

““University Entrance University Entrance Examination through Sport Examination through Sport and Art Special Ability and Art Special Ability Admission Project”Admission Project”

Music CompetitionMusic Competition

““Thailand Eastern Region Thai clThailand Eastern Region Thai classical music Competition”assical music Competition”

““Set-trade Youth music Contest” Set-trade Youth music Contest”

““Thailand Sorn-Thong Thai ClassThailand Sorn-Thong Thai Classical Music Competition”ical Music Competition”

Khim in Today’s Public AffairsKhim in Today’s Public Affairs

Today the Khim is a musical Today the Khim is a musical instrument that has become common instrument that has become common as public entertainment. as public entertainment.

It represents Thai classical music in It represents Thai classical music in the mind of the general public and the mind of the general public and we found that the Khim is performed we found that the Khim is performed in many public places. in many public places.

Thai restaurantThai restaurant

Lobby of five star hotelLobby of five star hotel

Perform in the Mall as Thai classical musicPerform in the Mall as Thai classical music

In the mallIn the mall

Teaching and Learning Khim Teaching and Learning Khim in in Thai societyThai society

For a professional (as a career)For a professional (as a career) For a hobbyFor a hobby For special purpose (goal)For special purpose (goal)

Learn how to play the Learn how to play the KhimKhim to use as a sideline and part to use as a sideline and part time job during their studies and work abroadtime job during their studies and work abroad

Khim class for hyperactive child Khim class for hyperactive child or special childor special child

The Baan Keng khim music school has a The Baan Keng khim music school has a special Khim class for hyperactive children. special Khim class for hyperactive children.

The report said that the hyperactive children The report said that the hyperactive children had better concentration and improved moods, had better concentration and improved moods, because they seem to relax and develop a because they seem to relax and develop a peaceful mind during their practice. peaceful mind during their practice.

The Media of Teaching The Media of Teaching

and Learninand Learning Khim g Khim in Thai societyin Thai society

Video CD for learning Video CD for learning how to play Khimhow to play Khim

Today khim is a Today khim is a popular musical popular musical instrument for Thai instrument for Thai children to start to children to start to learn Thai classical learn Thai classical music.music.

Thai society has adopted a Chinese-style dulcimer. YThai society has adopted a Chinese-style dulcimer. Yangqin was also imported from China however this kiangqin was also imported from China however this kind of Khim is usually learned by Chinese descendents nd of Khim is usually learned by Chinese descendents who wish to participate in traditional Chinese music who wish to participate in traditional Chinese music groups such as the Chauzhou string ensemble for opegroups such as the Chauzhou string ensemble for opera, Buddhist musicra, Buddhist music..

It is used more often for formal Chinese cultural musiIt is used more often for formal Chinese cultural music than is the traditional Thai style ‘Khim’.c than is the traditional Thai style ‘Khim’.

Many countries in Southeast Asia have adopted Many countries in Southeast Asia have adopted the Khim from China, including Malaysia, Singathe Khim from China, including Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodian and Thailand. pore, Cambodian and Thailand.

We found that only Thailand has adopted, adaptWe found that only Thailand has adopted, adapted, modified and developed the Khim into a uniqed, modified and developed the Khim into a uniquely Thai style instrument and method of perforuely Thai style instrument and method of performance. mance.

Khim in Thailand is not only musical Khim in Thailand is not only musical instrument, but it also can reflect Thai instrument, but it also can reflect Thai culture.culture.

Khim has become an unofficial Khim has become an unofficial national musical symbol for Thailandnational musical symbol for Thailand..

The The Khim (DKhim (Dulcimerulcimer)) is a musical instru is a musical instru ment of the ment of the ww orld not just China and Th orld not just China and Th

ailandailand..

It hIt h as many forms and variations of desi as many forms and variations of desi gn, style and use around the gn, style and use around the world.world.

The The Khim Khim will continue to develop and c will continue to develop and c

hange as it has been shown by the evolu hange as it has been shown by the evolu tion of the dulcimer from a Chinese inst tion of the dulcimer from a Chinese inst

rument into the Thai Kh rument into the Thai Khim.im.

Thank youThank you

Good-byeGood-bye