What is the classical traditional music of Burma?

The traditional folk ensemble, typically used in nat pwe (Burmese theatre, art and festivals) is called the hsaing waing (ဆိုင်းဝိုင်း). The ensemble is made up of a series of drums and gongs, including the center pieces, which are the hne (double reed pipe) and pat waing, set of 21 tuned drums in a circle.

What are the characteristics of the music of Myanmar?

The feature of Myanmar traditional music is mostly based on percussion with the beautiful blend of various musical instruments and melody making traditional Burmese music a multi-leveled hierarchical system.

How can you differentiate the music of Cambodia from the music of Myanmar?

In Cambodia, where the preference is for stories of the Ramayana (which is called Ramker in Cambodia), the music is a full gong ensemble similar to the Thai pi phat ensemble, while in Myanmar, a percussion orchestra of drums and gongs in circular frames accompanies singing, dancing, and dialogues in all types of plays.

What is the theme of Myanmar music?

The basic idea of much of Burmese music is to create an “inner melody” like that in the Indonesian Gamelan music. This melody is always improvised and ornamented in such a way the true “inner” melody is never heard by the audience, but functions as a core melody for all performers to imrovise from.

What is Myanmar musical instrument?

The saung-gauk is the national musical instrument of Burma and evidence exists of it being continuously played since the 8th century, predominantly in the chamber music of the Royal Court.

How is the Khmer music best described?

Khmer music consists of polyphonic stratification and is based predominantly on the pentatonic (five-tone) scale. It is built linearly, devoid of harmony in the Western sense. Musicians in a music ensemble have a collective melody in mind that no single musician actually plays.