How the klong yao makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the klong yao belongs to the struck drums: a stretched membrane (drumhead) is struck with hands or beaters.
More broadly it is one of the membranophones (drums), where sound comes from a vibrating stretched membrane.
Its timbre – the colour that lets you tell it apart from other instruments playing the same note – comes from the mix of overtones its body and resonator emphasise.
From Wikipedia
Klong yao, also known as the Khawng yao in Laos, is a type of traditional long drum used in Thailand and Laos. It is generally slung over the shoulder and played with the hands, but can also be played sat down. Drums have a wooden body and a drumhead made from water buffalo skin, and usually are decorated with a colorful skirt. It is played in many festival parades in Thailand. Extremely large klong yao, which may be up to 10 m in length, are sometimes encountered in parades, where they are carried by truck.
Similar drums are used by the Dai people of the Yunnan province of southwest China, as well as in Burma. It is the equivalent of the Cambodian skor chhaiyam.
Other struck drums
Frequently asked questions
What does a klong yao sound like?
As one of the struck drums, its sound comes from the way a stretched membrane (drumhead) is struck with hands or beaters.
What type of instrument is the klong yao?
It is classified as struck drums (Hornbostel–Sachs 211.26).
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q6421300 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Klong yao – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by ผู้สร้างสรรค์ผลงาน/ส่งข้อมูลเก็บในคลังข้อมูลเสรีวิกิมีเดียคอมมอนส์ - เทวประภาส มากคล้าย – Public domain