Thai Music
It is fair to say that Thai music is very different from what I am used to back in England but none the less the traditional Thai music is generally upbeat but easy to listen to, it is only when they start singing that they totally destroy an otherwise lovely piece of music. The music is influenced by a wide number of countries but perhaps mostly from India and China.
Music forms a major part of every day life in Udon Thani, with just about every Thai male or female up for a karaoke session, at just about any time. In some cases, what they lack in musical ability, they make up for in volume and gusto - it really is quite painful sometimes.
A good number of instruments used are strange in appearance to us ferang but the overall sound is wonderful.
Music forms a major part of every day life in Udon Thani, with just about every Thai male or female up for a karaoke session, at just about any time. In some cases, what they lack in musical ability, they make up for in volume and gusto - it really is quite painful sometimes.
A good number of instruments used are strange in appearance to us ferang but the overall sound is wonderful.
The Khim
The Khim is not something I have seen used very much but again you get the Chinese influence. A complicated looking instrument with a massive 42 strings played using flexible bamboo sticks.
Listen
Listen
Modern Music
As mentioned above, a lot of the singing does ruin some very decent music, more so when it is a female singing. Their voices always seem to be so high and piercing. Thai rock music is reasonable but has some considerable way to go to catch up with the UK rock scene. The most famous band here is Carabao (Buffalo), who are actually known throughout the world and they tour the world too. A bunch of students formed the band some 30 years ago and basically conquered Thailand modern music scene. Even I like a few of their songs but standing head and shoulders above all other is Noom Bao Sao Parn. My wife sings this with one of her brothers at parties and I have to say she does a damned fine job of it.
If you listen to this track - it gives you more of an idea of what traditional music in Thailand is like (the overall sound, not the singing). The slow build up to the start of the song is actually very, very common, and to me, sounds virtually the same every time.
If you listen to this track - it gives you more of an idea of what traditional music in Thailand is like (the overall sound, not the singing). The slow build up to the start of the song is actually very, very common, and to me, sounds virtually the same every time.
Thai National AnthemThe Thai national anthem has got to be one of the shortest in the world, and one of my favourites. It is played twice a day on radio and TV stations (and lots of othe places), at 8am & 6pm.
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