PI REED-PIPE ACCOMPANIMENT TO LAM PHUTHAI PERFORMING ARTS

Abstract

This study was aimed at exploring a Pi reed pipe accompaniment to  Lam Phuthai performing. The findings found that the player held the Pi with two hands in a slightly vertical position with either left or right hand could be placed above or below the other. For the upper hand, the first finger was placed on the top (highest) finger hole and the mid finger was placedon the second top finger hole. As for the lower hand, the first, the mid, and the ring finger were placed on the three lower finger holes respectively. The Pi melody which was used for Lam Phuthai performing was a one-melodic phrase pattern, similar to the ostinato in the western music. Normally Lam Phuthai performing always includs a Khaen mouth organ along with a Pi reed pipe, of which short melodic phrase is the same as appeared in the Pi reed pipe’s melody. The differences are that the Pi melody is in higher pitche. It is sweet and charming with pleading tones. A good Pi player needs to know the form, phrase, and section of the Lam poetry.