Chapter 8: Music in Myanmar

How does Burmese culture use music in expressive religious traditions?

Buddhist chant and music for spirit possession ceremonies

How does Burmese culture use music in expressing relevant historical traditions?

Saung Gauk and Hsaing Waing

Nats

The sprits of “green” unjust death (e.g. murders and accidents); failure to honor the spirits is believed to result in bad luck, poverty, failed crops, etc.

Instruments are not found in Theravada Buddhist practice, but instead found in:

Spirit possession ceremonies

Nat Pwes

Ceremony where the Burmese engage with the nats; food, money, and alcohol offerings, as well as music (through hsaing waing) facilitate communication

Hsaing Waing

An outdoor ensemble typically consisting of 6 to 10 players; instruments include the Patt Waing, Kyi Waing, and Hne. Hsaing Waings generally have a heterophonic texture

Patt Waing

“Drum Circle”, the basic core of the ensemble; a set of 21 double-headed, elongated, barrel-shaped drums suspended vertically inside a circular frame

Kyi Waing

“Copper/Bronze Circle”; a tuned set of bronze gong chimes/pot gongs resting horizontally on a circular rack

Hne

A wooden, double-reed aerophone considered part of the hsaing waing ensemble

Saung Gauk

The arched harp; the most prominent instrument in the court traditions for intimate, indoor, chamber or solo music and the national icon of Myanmar.

How do Saung Gauk players perform

Sitting like Buddha, under the bodhi tree

What materials compose the Saung Gauk?

A hollowed-out piece of wood and 14 to 16 nylon or silk strings

Na yi si

The most common rhythmic pattern of the saung gauk; in this case, a four beat measure. All rhythmic patterns are organized in duple meter

What is a commonality shared between saung players and the hsaing waing?

Modal System; a seven-tone scale with five primary and two secondary pitches

Copy Thachin

“Copy Song”, or a Burmese revision of foreign, popular songs (re-recording of a popular song with a nearly identical melody and style, with new Burmese lyrics)