De Klankbron

Pii riet

The single, double and free reed. An episode dedicated to the mouth-size mechanism which gives sound to music instruments like clarinets, saxophones, bagpipes, shawms, oboes, mouth organs, and derived instruments like harmonicas, accordions and the harmonium. This mechanism exists in three different forms: a single reed in the clarinet, a double reed in the shawm, and a free reed in the mouth organ. With a single reed, there is a small, flat piece of wood or similar material bound or clipped on a mouthpiece and when you blow air between the mouthpiece and that small piece of material, it vibrates. A double reed has a mouthpiece of two or more bound together pieces of reed or folded leaves which tremble when you push air between them, and the free reed is a flat piece of bamboo or metal in which a long, thin strip of the material is cut loose at three sides in a way so that the plate can move freely up or down and can produce sound while breathing in or out.

Common with these reed instruments is that it is possible to produce a continuous stream of sound and that their sounds are relatively loud: one of the reasons why bagpipes, shawms and oboes are often used to accompany processions, boxing contests and marching soldiers. The free reed is special because it is a Southeast-Asian invention which became known in Europe as late as the 19th century and spread fast from there around the world as the basis of sound for industrial produced instruments like the accordion, the harmonica and the harmonium. The free reed also has linguistic side, like the African drum languages, it is used for talking in parts of Southeast Asia. You can hear how this sounds in 14 partly unique recordings in The Source of Sound.

Lahu mouth organ

01. Sari siroun yar
Comp. G. Achot, perf. Bratsch
CD Bratsch– gypsy music from the heart of Europe
WDR / World Network 55.832, tr. 5
France
02. Streambirds
Comp/perf. Del Silencio: Frans Moussault – bass clarinet, Ton Akkermans gongs e.d.
CD Del Silencio Tr1
Eigen beheer Del Silencio
The Netherlands
03. Serenata
Comp./perf. Pietropaolo Bonacci, Gabriele Cimino – zampogna (bagpipe), vocals
LP Calabria 1 strumenti
I Suoni, Cetra SU 5001, B 5
Italy
04. Under the panha tree
Trad./perf. TaoZhihua and the Deep South ensemble
CD the music of small ethnic groups in Yunnan, China.
King Record KICC 5187, tr. 13
Sipsongpanna, China

Law Ke

05. Yao Nan Marriage
Trad. / Perf. Law Ke – Dzat (schawm), Udom Tse Jaw – Djo (drum),  Sang Wa Je Saw
Tjap sei  (cymbals),  Serun Tse Jaw- Ka La Mang (gong).
Rec: Fred Gales,  Ban La Bo Ya, Thailand, 2001
©&℗ Sound Reporters/Fred Gales
06. Muay thai
comp/perf. Put Keewsuwan – Pii Djawa (oboe), Mueng Lekim- kloong (drum), Sanaam Suram Kadi- tjing (cymbals), Praywan Sukkeesam – tjing lek (smal cymbals).
Rec. Fred Gales, Sri Satchanalai, Thailand, 1995
CD Lanna Thai
PAN 2045CD Tr1
07. Bongbongana
Comp./Perf. Dangyan
CD Musik aus dem Bergland West-Neuguineas vol.1, vol 2
Museum collection Berlin CD 20, CD 3 tr. 18
West Papua, Indonesia
08. I want to marry with you
Comp. Nang Tam Chai Wong
Perf.  Nang Tam Chai Wong- voc., Nang Sao So. Nong Kho-koor, Ay Deung Bunvilai – Pii
Rec. Fred Gales, Ban Tung Dii, Thai Dam, Laos 2003.
©&℗ Sound Reporters/Fred Gales
09. If Boson is the elephant and Lanna culture
Comp. /Perf. Mae Boson Mueng Prao – vocals, Pa Khru Dungjan Wirot – vocals, saw (violin)
Anu Pong Misat – Pii Koi, Saw, Nai Chaiwat Chadsingkew – Pii Klang, Nai Sanee Sawkeow – Pii Lek
Nai Surapon Chiengta – Süng (lute)
Rec. Fred Gales, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 2005
©&℗ Sound Reporters/Fred Gales

Pii

10. Pii Hom demonstration
Lung Seree Tama – pii hom, vocals
Rec. Fred Gales, Ban Sam Mo Lan Salakan, Thailand, 2001
©&℗ Sound Reporters/Fred Gales

Ha-Paa

11. Talk to a lady 2
Comp/perf  Ha-Paa
Rec. Fred Gales, Ban Pa Deeng Jaka-e,  Thailand, 1995
©&℗ Sound Reporters/Fred Gales
12. Talking to the spirits
Comp./perf. Ken Yei
Rec. Fred Gales,  Ban Khün Mon, Thailand, 1996
©&℗ Sound Reporters/Fred Gales

Ajahn Hahn Honghaw

13. Mueng  Sang Khom
Ajahn Hahn Honghaw – Khene (mouth organ), Sak Lek – vocals
Rec. Fred Gales,  Sang Khom, Thailand, 2011
©&℗ Sound Reporters/Fred Gales


Nai Hua

14. Music to soothe the death
Comp./Perf. Nai Hua
Rec. Fred Gales,  Doi Inthanon, Thailand, 1994
©&℗ Sound Reporters/Fred Gales

Photos: Fred Gales