1

INTRODUCTION

Image from Department of Tourism

culture especially in music and arts.

learn and show your understanding of the basic concepts and principles of Southeast Asian music. You will also discover ho
 OBJECTIVES
At the end of this module, you are expected to:

 analyze the music of Southeast Asia

 perform using the music of Southeast Asia

 analyze examples of Southeast Asian music and

describe how the musical elements are used

 relate Southeast Asian music to the lives of the people

 explain the distinguishing characteristics of representative

Southeast Asian music in relation to the history and culture
of the area

 perform available instruments from Southeast Asia, alone

and/or with others

 improvise simple rhythmic/harmonic accompaniments to

selected Southeast Asian music

 explore ways of producing sounds on a variety of

sources that would simulate instruments being studied

 evaluate the quality of your own and others’ performances

and improvisations of Southeast Asian music using
developed criteria
 PRE-ASSESSMENT
Before we formally begin our lesson, let’s find out if you know
something about the Southeast Asian countries. Up next are a few
activities that will assess what you know, what you can do, and what
else you need to learn to achieve your targets for this module.

Are you ready?

Let’s travel!

Now, wouldn’t it be fun to visit different places? In Southeast

Asia, there are eleven countries to visit. If you were given a chance to
visit these countries, which one would you visit first? Why?

In your notebook, make a list of Southeast Asian countries you

want to visit. Arrange it according to your top priorities down to the least
and write the reason why you chose to arrange it in that way. Use the
map to guide you in exploring Southeast Asia.
Map of Southeast Asia
 When you travel especially in a foreign country, you need to have an idea about their culture. You need
Why do you need to know about the country’s culture before travelling? Each country has its distinct ch
One way of learning culture is through their music. Are you ready to learn

Vocal / Instrumental Music

Can you recall the differences between Vocal music and Instrumental
music? Write their differences in your notebook.

Were you able to identify the differences of Vocal music and Instrumental music? Vocal music is music ma
Vocal Music

The songs listed below belong to the different countries in Southeast

Asia. Check the box beside the songs that are familiar to you.

Burung Kaka Tua

Rasa Sayang
Chan Mali Chan
Ru Con
Bahay Kubo
Loi Loi Krathong
Can you sing any of these
songs? No need to worry if you
don’t know all of them. We just
want to see if you are familiar
with any Southeast Asian
songs. Maybe you know some
of the instruments on the next
page. Let’s check them out!

Instrumental Music

Are you familiar with the instruments at the next page? Look at each picture an
it is played. Try to remember

Hornbostel-Sachsclassification
instruments that you learned in Grade 7. Is it an aerophone, chordophone, idiophone, membranop
to indicate if you think you can play it.
1.

4
5

8
 9

10

to guess how they sound and how they are played? You can check your answers as we go on with the lessons. The instrum
hat do you think you should learn about Southeast Asian music?
below.
 LEARNING GOALS AND TARGETS
At the end of this

module, I would like to

know about

I would like to be able to

I would like to

understand I would like

this quarter. to perform

move along, try to look back at your pre-assessment activities and check if you were able to learn the things that you were
 PART I. WHAT TO KNOW
le tour of Southeast Asia. It is very important for you to learn the historical background and basic concepts that you will ne

strumental music of Southeast Asian countries particularly in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Th

Cambodia

Angkor Wat

Cambodia is one of the most beautiful countries in Southeast Asia. It is

also known as Kâmpŭchéa. It was the center of the Khmer (Cambodian)
kingdom of Angkor, a great empire that dominated Southeast Asia for 600
years. Their music gained a world-wide reputation in the 1960s until the
dramatic political problems in Cambodia.
 Art music is highly influenced by ancient forms as well
as Hindu forms.

Cambodian court music is roughly similar to that of Java, Indonesia.

They feature choruses with large orchestras based on struck keys and gongs.

Cambodian people also absorbed and adopted Indian, Chinese,

European, and other cultures to suit their own traditions and tastes that
resulted in a distinct Cambodian culture.

The Pinpeat is a Cambodian musical ensemble or an orchestra that

usually accompanies ceremonial music of the royal courts and temples. Music
is always part of their court dances, masked plays, shadow plays, and
religious ceremonies. This group is similar to the Piphat ensemble of
Thailand and usually consists of nine or ten instruments.

THE PINPEAT

ONEAT – xylophones (idiophone)

SAMPHOR – a double- KONGVONG –

headed drum played gong circles
with hands (idiophone)
(membranophone)

SKORTHOM – two big drums similar CHHING

– finger
to Japanese (membranophone)
cymbals (idiophone)
 TEACHER-ASSISTED ACTIVITY

If you have access to the internet, visit www.youtube.com and type in

the links from the next page to watch video clips of Pinpeat. In case you don’t
have internet access, ask your teacher to lend you a CD copy of the Pinpeat
ensemble performances taken from the website. After watching the
performances, answer the questions found on the next page. Write your
answers in your notebook.

View this link from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tYa-N6cKGY

View this link from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx5VzphVxRs

 QUESTIONS

1. In 3 to 5 sentences, describe how the Pinpeat musicians play their

instruments.
2. How many instrument players were needed to form the Pinpeat?
3. Are their instruments made of wood or metal?
You can also visit the following web pages for additional reference:
 http://www.istov.de/htmls/cambodia/cambodia_start.html
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodian_music
 http://www.keosambathmusic.com/index.htm

has the Pinpeat ensemble, do other Southeast Asian countries have their own musical ensembles? Let’s find out!

Indonesia

Borobudur

Indonesia is an archipelago in Southeast Asia comprising

approximately 17,500 islands. With over 238 million people, Indonesia is the
world's fourth most populous country and is the fourth biggest nation of the
world. Through interaction with other cultures such as Indian, Arabic,
 Chinese, and European, a wide range of musical styles has been developed.
Today, the contemporary music of Indonesia is popular not only in the region
but also in the neighboring countries.

There are two basic kinds of Indonesian music scale:

 Slendro – five (5) equidistant tones in octave
 Peloq – heptatonic (7) tone scale with semi tone

Both vocal and instrumental music in Indonesia use slendro and peloq
scales.
 Polyphonic stratification kind of melody is a result of hocket / Interlock.
 Interlocking is a common technique used in gong ensembles.

Irama – is an Indonesian term for tempo

Gamelan

The Gamelan or Gamelan orchestra is the most popular form of music

in Indonesia. There are many types of Gamelan but the famous Javanese
and Balinese Gamelan are the most famous. It contains a variety of
instruments such as metallophones, xylophones, kendang and gongs,
bamboo flutes, bowed and plucked strings.

Vocal music is used as ornamentation of the Gamelan. It is as

important as Gamelan.
1. Pesindhen is a female soloist singer who sings with a Gamelan.
2. Gerong refers to the unison male chorus that sings with the
Gamelan.
 Remember

Karawitan is the term for every kind of Gamelan music in Java.

Gamelan orchestras – are used to accompany dances, songs, and Wayang Kulit
are believed to possess supernatural powers
consider their instruments sacred, therefore stepping over the instrument is a sign of disresp
musicians bow before playing the instruments to show respect

an distinguish the Javanese Gamelan from the Balinese Gamelan. Follow the links below each TV screen icon in the next ac

PARTNER ACTIVITY

After watching / listening to the Javanese and Balinese Gamelan, write

your description of each musical ensemble in a sheet of paper. You may use
the guide questions that follow. As soon as you’ve finished answering,
compare your answers with your partner. Check if you have the same
description.
 The Gamelan Music of Indonesia The Balinese Gamelan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1AiCTJ9t8g http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmlAZxha
8P

The Javanese Gamelan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfrOSJRCsfM

QUESTIONS

1. In 3 to 5 sentences, describe how the Javanese and Balinese musicians

play their instruments.
2. How many instrument players are needed to form each ensemble?
3. Are their instruments made of wood or metal?

Are your answers in the previous activity similar to the chart below?

Javanese Gamelan Balinese Gamelan

 Used for court  Used for sacred music
music  Consist of metallophone and mostly
 Percussion gongs
dominated  Sudden change of tempo and
 Style of playing dynamics are the basic
gives solemn characteristic.
character  Sounds are very bright and brilliant
 Use of fast and rattling sounds of
cymbals makes distinctive characters
 So, Cambodia has the Pinpeat ensemble while Indonesia has the Javanese and Balinese Gam

Myanmar

Schwedago

Myanmar was known as Burma until 1989. The country’s name was
officially changed by the military government that took over in 1988. Early
civilization in Myanmar dates back to the 1 st century with archaeological
evidences of the Pyu Kingdoms of Thayekhittaya (Sri Ksetra), Beithano
(Visnu), and Hanlin.

The music of Myanmar (or Burma) has similarities with many other
musical traditions in the region, including Chinese music and Thai music,
probably because its longest land border is shared with China.
 The Hsaing Waing is Myanmar’s traditional folk music ensemble. It is
made up mainly of different gongs and drums as well as other instruments
depending on the nature of the performance.
Myanmar’s musical instruments are categorized into two types, the
loud sounding and soft sounding. The loud sounding instruments are
performed in open-air ensembles at ceremonies and festivals. Most of the
Hsaing Waing instruments belong to the loud sounding category.

Other instruments in the Hsaing Waing are the:

chauk lon pat (a set of 8 tunedmaung

drums)hsaing (larger
bronze gongs in a rectangular frame)
hne (a double reed pipe)

pat waing (a set of 21 kyi waing (small bronze gongs in a circular frame)
drums in a circle)

Not shown in the picture is

the siand wa (bell and
clapper)
 For more formal and classical performances that are performed
indoors, the ensemble may be accompanied by the saung gauk (13-
string angular harp with soft sound) the national instrument of
Myanmar, the pattala (Burmese xylophone), or the piano and violin,
both introduced during colonial rule.

SAUNG GAUK
Myanmar Harp

SAUNG GAUK
Myanmar Harp

gauk is made of padauk, the famous Myanmar mahogany. The flat bar is made of cutch wood and it is covered with the lea
 Myanmar not only has musical ensembles but also an extensive
collection of classical songs called the Mahagita. These songs are divided
into different types like the oldest repertoires, royal court music, songs of
longing, horses’ dance songs, worship songs for Burmese spirits, and songs
of sorrow and music adapted from Ayutthaya and the Mon people. The saung
gauk usually accompanies these songs.

Malaysia

Pahang State Mosque

Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy in Southeast Asia. It is divided
into two regions:

1. West Malaysia – also known as Peninsular Malaysia

2. East Malaysia – consists of thirteen states and three federal
territories. Chinese and Indian cultural influences made their mark
when trade began in the country. Trading also increased when
immigrants flocked to Malaysia.

The country is multi-ethnic and multi-cultural, which plays a large role in

developing their culture. The constitution declares Islam the state religion
while protecting freedom of religion.
 Multi-racial groups that influenced Malaysia’s music genre include the
following:

1. Malay
2. Chinese
3. Indian
4. Iban
5. Dayak
6. Kadazandusun
7. Eurasians

Malaysian music is largely based around percussion instruments. It

has multi-cultural influence and is believed to have originated in the Kelantan-
Pattani region with a mixture of Indian, Chinese, Thai, and Indonesian
influences.

The music of Malaysia may be categorized into two types:

1. Classical and Folk music emerged during the pre-colonial period

and still exists in the form of vocal, dance, and theatrical music.

2. Syncretic or Acculturated music developed during the post-

Portuguese period (16th century). It contains elements from both
local music and foreign elements of Arabian, Persian, Indian,
Chinese, and Western musical and theatrical sources.

Malaysian Musical Instruments

Musical instruments of Malaysia are greatly associated with their

culture and roots. Due to colonization, the stages of development of
Malaysian instruments are great. They share some common features with
Indian musical instruments. After the colonization of Malaysia by the British,
the musical development was influenced by Western music.

Musical Ensembles and Types of Performances in Malaysia

1. Agung and Kulintang

This is a gong-based musical ensemble commonly used in funerals

and weddings in East Malaysia. This type of ensemble is similar to the
kulintang of the Philippines, Brunei, and Indonesia.
 Image from themalaysiantimes.com

2. Kertok

This is a musical ensemble from the Malay Peninsula that consists

of xylophones played swiftly and rhythmically in traditional Malay
functions.

Image from pelancongan-terengganu.blogspot.com

3. Dikir Barat

This is a type of musical form that is important to Malaysia’s

national culture. It is performed by singing in groups and often in a
competitive manner usually with percussion instrumental
accompaniment or sometimes without instruments at all.

Image from agefotostock.com

4. Silat Melayu

This is a form of
martial art that is similar to
t’ai chi. It originated in the
Malay Peninsula since the
Christian Era and is a
mixture of martial arts,
dance, and music usually
accompanied by gongs,
drums, and Indian oboes.

Image from flickr.com

Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Malaysia have instrumental ensembles and vocal music.
Have you noticed that these musical performances are used in different manners in their culture? The
Do you think the other countries have this too? Do they use instrumental and vocal music for their cul
Let’s keep on reading.

Thailand
 Ayutthaya Ruins

Formerly known as Siam, Thailand is known for being the sole nation
in Southeast Asia that has never been ruled by a Western power. It is for
this reason that the country is also called “Muang Thai,” which means “Land
of the Free.” History and geography indicates that Thai music is a
conglomeration of Asian influences. Its musical principles and elements are
basically derived from Chinese music, while its musical instruments are
inspired from the Indian and Indonesian strings and
 gong-chimes. The Thais combined and adapted these to their culture
and created their own unique music.

Music is theoretically based on the five-tone or seven-tone scale

system. It is not only confined to the royal courts but is also used extensively
in dance, theatre, and in ceremonies.

Thai folk music consists of simple songs with simple melodic lines. Its
main focus in singing is the articulation of the text rather than the style or
technique of execution.

Songs of Thailand have inherently poetic lyrics which allow a singer or

performer to easily define the melodic lines. It provides the singer the
opportunity to improvise song text to suit the given occasion. The
interpretation of a singer gives meaning to the sacred and spiritual essence of
songs with free rhythm while melodies may either be interpreted or written in
the high or low register with long or short durations.

Thailand has three primary instrumental ensembles that are similar to

the other ensembles in Southeast Asia.

1. Piphat – It is a mid-sized orchestra that is performed in either

outdoor style with hard mallets or indoor style with padded mallets.
This ensemble has different types but the highly ornate one is
traditionally associated with funerals and cremation ceremonies.
Other versions of the piphat ensemble are used to accompany
specific forms of traditional Thai drama such as the large shadow
puppet theatre (nang yai) and the khon dance drama.

Image from youtube.com

2. Khrueang Sai – It is an orchestra that combines some of the
percussion and wind instruments of the Piphat with an expanded
string section. This group is primarily used for indoor performances
and for the accompaniment of stick-puppet theater.

Image from tube.7s-b.com

3. Mahori – This ensemble is traditionally played by women in the

courts of Central Thailand and Cambodia. Because of this,
instruments for this ensemble are historically smaller. However,
regular-sized instruments are used today. A vocalist performing
with the Mahori is usually accompanied by the so sam sai.
 Laos

Wat Pha That Luang

This country is an independent state of Southeast Asia and officially

known as Lao People’s Democratic Republic. It is formerly part of the
Indochinese Union, also known as French Indochina. Wat Pha That Luang,
Vientiane is one of its famous landmarks.
The classical music and dance of Laos is highly influences by India,
Cambodia, and Thailand.

Themes are drawn from Hindu mythology, the Buddhist Jataka tales,
and local legends.

The royal entourage of Lao kings traditionally included musicians, and

a typical orchestra improvised songs with sets of tuned gongs, xylophones, a
bamboo flute, and other wind instruments.
 The Lao orchestra can be divided into two categories:

1. Sep Nyai – This is similar to the Piphat of Thailand with

instruments that are strictly percussive but also integrates the use
of an oboe.

2. Sep Noi – This is also known as the Mahori of Thailand. However,

it incorporates the use of several khene which is a large bamboo
mouth organ and is the most popular folk music instrument of Laos.

Traditional music, called Mor lam, is largely based around the khene.

outheast Asia have a lot of similarities in their musical instruments and types of music performed. Their musical influences a

ssed have the same similarities to the other countries.

 Vietnam

Thien Mu

Vietnam is officially known as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. This

country is located on the eastern coast of the Indochinese Peninsula.

Vietnamese music (nhạc Việt Nam) refers to the ethnic music that
originated from the "Kinh" people of Vietnam. This term is also used to
address the music of any of the numerous ethnic minorities including the
Montagnard, Degar, Tay, Cham, and others.

Although Vietnam is geographically part of Southeast Asia, ten

centuries of rule by the Chinese to the north have made the culture much
closer to Far East than to its Southeast Asian neighbors. Thus, early music
theory was either based upon or adapted to the prevailing Chinese theory,
and the majority of instruments used in the royal court were of Chinese
origin.

On the other hand, other influences can be seen with the ethnic
minorities, such as the Chàm or Montagnard peoples. This is possibly due to
interaction with the other countries of Southeast Asia. Vietnamese music
shows signs of Indian influences, noticeable in improvisation preludes of
chamber music (known as rao in the South and dao in the north) as well as
usage of onomatopoeia in drum playing.
Traditional and Folk Music
Vietnamese traditional music can be separated into a few major
categories, divided predominantly by the way in which were used in the
people's cultural lives.

Categories of Vietnamese Music

1. Imperial Court Music – The most popular of this kind is the Nha
nhac that was popularly performed during the Tran Dynasty to the
Nguyen Dynasty. This form of classical music is also performed in
honor of the gods and scholars in temples. Other classical music
falling into this category includes the Dai Nhac (“great music”) and
the Tieu Nhac (“small music”) which was performed as chamber
music for the king.

Image from vietnamonline.com

2. Folk Music – This category is extremely diverse because it
includes music performed both indoors and outdoors. Performers
of this category are also diverse. They may be professional
musicians down to the blind artists in the streets who perform to
earn their living. Vietnamese folk music are performed in different
occasions depending on its sub-category. It may be performed in
musical theaters, streets, courtship rituals, and ceremonies for
invoking spirits. They are sometimes also influenced by Western
elements. Some Vietnamese music only makes use of female
singers and some have both male and female singers.
 Image from tuoitrenews.vn

3. Religious and Ceremonial Music – This is the music performed in

religious rituals or at funerals.

Singapore

Merlion
 The Republic of Singapore is an independent republic in Southeast
Asia, comprised of one main island and about 50 small adjacent islands off
the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. About three-fourths of the people of
Singapore, known as Singaporeans, are Chinese, but there are significant
Malay and Indian minorities.

Singapore’s cultural life reflects its colonization by the British Empire

and its diverse population. Being the melting pot of different cultures in Asia,
folk music of this country reflects the culture and traditions of specific groups.

The ethnic groups which made a prominent place in the musical world
of Singapore have been Chinese, Indian Malays, and Tamils. Other minority
Asian ethnic groups which have also made a mark in the folk culture of
Singapore are the Cantonese, Hokkien, and Malay Bangwasan.

Through the years, the music industry in Singapore grew having

Western-influenced performances by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra as
well as ethnic music performances mainly by the Singapore Chinese
Orchestra. Other performing groups with Malay and Indian influence are still
prevalent until today

Isn’t it amazing how rich their culture is? Aren’t you proud that our country is part of this Asian region?
orm Southeast Asian music! But first, let us see if you can describe Southeast Asia in your own words. Do the following activ

INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY 1

In your notebook, write words that describe Southeast Asian music that starts
with the letters spelling out Southeast Asia.

S
O
U
T
H
 E
A
S
T

A
S
I
A

INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY 2

On a sheet of paper, write the country which is associated with the following
word.

1. Khene 6. Hsaing Waing

2. Nha nhac 7. Saung Gauk
3. Gamelan 8. Kulintang
4. Pinpeat 9. Mahori
5. Piphat 10. Orchestra

Good job! You’ve finished answering the individual activities.

To know more about Southeast Asian performances, you may follow the online links.

Resources
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IdleRSML-o Ranad (Traditional Thai Music
Instruments)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=S4rUVL81bZI&feature=endscreen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGhcbyhBxXo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13CPOuYEOK4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4cVualDqgE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvLt7UaZYZ8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqDWbNS74Ac
 Laos Traditional Song

Song sung by man of this village. The description of the song given to me
was "December is coming. Should we get married to stay warm?”

Resources

International Folk Songs. (1997) Hal Leonard

Anderson, William and Patricia Campbell. (1996). Multicultural
Perspectives in Music Education, 2nd ed. Virginia, USA: MENC.
Eugenio, Damiana. (1998). Anthology of Philippine Literature. Manila: Dela
Salle
University Press.
Eugenio, Damiana. (2008). Anthology of Philippine Literature, 2 nd ed. Quezon
City: University of the Philippines Press.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Thailand
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Cambodia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Myanmar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Laos

time to experience Southeast Asian music! Some musical ensembles in Southeast Asia have singers performing with them.
r the songs we asked you about in the Pre-assessment? Let us see if we can sing and perform some of the songs.
 PART II: WHAT TO PROCESS
TEACHER-ASSISTED ACTIVITY

Watch videos and listen to some songs from Indonesia and Malaysia. With
the guidance of your teacher, learn how to sing the two songs.

Burung Kaka Tua

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTCFS0pgBps&feature=related

Burung Kakatua The Cockatoo

(Bahasa Indonesia) (English )

Burung kakatua The cockatoo

Hinggap di jendela Sits on the window sill
Nenek sudah tua My grandmother is already old
Giginya tinggal dua And she only has two teeth

Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la la

la Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la la
Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la la
la Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la la
Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la Burung kakatua
la
Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la She only has two teeth left
la Grandma is already old
Burung kakatua She sits on the the window sill
Like the cockatoo!
Giginya tinggal dua
Nenek sudah tua Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la la
Hinggap di jendela Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la la
Seperti kakatua! Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la la
Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la la
Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la Burung kakatua
la
Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la
la
Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la
la
Tredung, tredung, tredung tra la
la
Burung kakatua
Rasa Sayang

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=MQnSM7_kss
M

Rasa Sayang I’ve Got That Lovely Feeling

(Malay) (Literal English translation)

Rasa sayang hey! I’ve got that loving feeling

Rasa sayang sayang hey! hey! I’ve got that loving
Hey lihat nona jauh feeling hey! See that girl in
Rasa sayang sayang hey! the distance
I’ve got that loving feeling hey!
Buah cempedak di luar
pagar The cempedak tree is across
Ambil galah tolong jolokkan the fence
Saya budak baru belajar Please take a stick and poke it
Kalau salah tolong tunjukkan down for me
I’m just a new guy trying to learn
Pulau pandan jauh ke So if I’m wrong then please tell
tengah me
Gunung daik bercabang tiga
Hancur badan dikandung Pandan island far in midst
tanah With the three peaked Daik
Budi yang baik dikenang mountain
juga While the body decomposes in
earth
Dua tiga kucing berlari Good deeds remain to be
Mana sama si kucing belang remembered
Dua tiga boleh ku cari
Mana sama abang seorang Two or three cats are running
around
Pisang emas dibawa With the striped one which can
berlayar vie
Masak sebiji di atas peti Two or three men woo I may
Hutang emas boleh dibayar Which of them with you can vie
Hutang budi dibawa mati
Pisang emas brought on a
journey
One ripens on a box
If gold is owed, it can be repaid
But if it is gratitude, it is carried
to the grave
 Were you able to sing the two songs just like the Indonesians and Malaysians?
It’s time to learn how to accompany the songs.

GROUP ACTIVITY

1. Form a rhythmic instrumental ensemble using improvised instruments or

any available musical instruments that sound like instruments from
Southeast Asia. You may use metal discs that sound like gongs,
bamboo flutes, guitars, piano keyboards, etc.

2. Perform the songs again using the available instruments in your group.

INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY

Sing the song “Bahay Kubo” or accompany it using an improvised musical

instrument. Your accompaniment should imitate the rhythmic patterns heard
in the music of Southeast Asia.

you, singing Southeast Asian songs or playing improvised instruments?

u will be able to check if you have fully understood what Southeast Asian music is about. Let us see if you can analyze some
 Part III: REFLECT AND UNDERSTAND
NOTE:
Music sheets of the songs in the following activities are on the next two
pages.

TEACHER-ASSISTED ACTIVITY

“Loi Loi Gratong” is an example of a folksong from Thailand. Visit

www.youtube.com to watch the video presentation or listen to the sample
music provided by your teacher to answer the questions given. Write your
answers in your notebook.

1. Describe the voice quality.

2. How was the music performed?
3. Is the performance style effective in bringing about the message?
4. How were the varied musical elements used in bringing about the
message of the music?

GROUP / PAIR WORK 1

Using the music sheet and table as your guide, listen to the ways the music
was performed. In a cartolina or manila paper, write the differences and
similarities of the performing styles as observed by your group or partner.

http://www.youtub http://www.youtube.c http://www.youtub

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Chan Mali Chan ed Chan Mali Chan
(Lagu Rakyat) Chan Mali Chan Marsiling
The Stylers (1982) Chinese
Orchestra
Background
/ Function
Tempo
Meter
Tonality
Texture
Form
GROUP / PAIR WORK 2

Your class will be divided into two groups. Each group will be given five
minutes to discuss and share ideas about the characteristics of Javanese and
Balinese Gamelan. Each group will use graphic organizers as illustrated
below or make their own organizer to present ideas effectively.
INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY 1

Listen to the song “Ru Con.” Analyze the song by answering the questions
that follow. You may access the music sample through
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2BCBrHE-dw.

Draw and sing the scale used in the song “Ru con”:

QUESTIONS

1. What scale is used in this song?

2. What feeling is being conveyed upon hearing the song?
3. How is it similar to the Filipino song “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan”?
INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY 2

Gamelan is very popular in Indonesia. It is similar to the kulintang of the

Philippines. On a sheet of paper, make a diagram that can describe both
musical ensembles. Use the following as your guide.

Are you ready to share what you know about Southeast Asian music?
You may choose any of the two activities that would suit you.
 PART IV. TRANSFER
GROUP ACTIVITY: Sing It! Move It!

Your teacher will organize your into five groups. Each group will sing one
Southeast Asian song either learned from class or through research. Enhance
your group performance with the use of improvised musical instruments as
accompaniments and incorporate body movements. Please refer to the
following criteria. Before performing, explain your answers to the following
questions:

1. Describe how a musical element reflects the culture of each country.

2. What is the difference between the traditional and contemporary
folk songs of Southeast Asia?

Criteria 5 4 3 2 1
Correct expression and style
Accurate rhythm
Appropriateness of accompaniment and
movements
Correct pitch
Sensitive phrasing
Well-defined dynamic level
Creativity

Rubrics for Designing an Instrument Substitute

Basic Developing Approaching Proficient

Proficiency
Inappropriate; Most materials Appropriate Appropriate and
Messy and appropriate; materials; creatively
incomplete Decorated but Decorated, modified
materials; messy; neat; Sound materials;
Sound quality Neat but fragile; quality almost Decorated within
lacks similarity Sound quality similar to that the context of the
with that of the somewhat of the original instrument;
original similar but not instrument Neat and
instrument exactly similar to durable; Sound
that of the quality most
original similar to that of
instrument the original
instrument
INDIVIDUAL / PAIR ACTIVITY

Make a scrapbook of Southeast Asian musical instruments. Carefully

organize the pictures in your scrapbook and include a brief description about
each instrument. Refer to the following assessment rubric for the criteria.

Scrapbook Rubrics
Points 4 3 2 1 Earned
Assessm
ent
Advanced Approaching Developing Beginner Sel Tea
Proficiency f cher
Content Information is Main points Some main Main points
complete and are covered points and are not
is enhanced but lack details are complete
by accurate some missing and are
and details greatly
appropriate lacking in
details detail
Pictures, Number and More and Very little
photographs, types of better pictorial
or other similar visuals are visuals representatio
devices add to adequate, could be n is present;
overall as are used;
effectiveness captions captions captions are
of the only incomplete
scrapbook; identify and
captions are label rather
relevant and than
explanatory explain
Space, shapes Design Shows There is no
and colors elements evidence of consideration
provide and use of of design
information principles some elements
themselves used are design and
and add to the adequate elements principles
overall and
effectiveness principles
of scrapbook
All sources are The Sufficient The list of
properly and minimum number/typ sources is
thoroughly number/type es of inadequate
cited; the s of sources sources in number /
number / types are present are lacking; types and
of sources are and are not all format of
exceeded cited citations items
properly are
formatted
properly
 Theme There is Most of the Only a Confusing
wholeness information portion of and/ or
about the relate to the the inconsistent
scrapbook; the theme of the information
theme is scrapbook. relates to
consistent The cover is the theme
throughout. relevant to of the
The cover the scrapbook.
clearly contents. The cover
identifies the is unclear
theme. in its
message.
Overall The All the Only some Few of the
effectiv requirements requirement of the assignment
eness of the s of the assignment requirements
assignment assignment requiremen have been
have been have been ts are met. The
exceeded. The fulfilled. The fulfilled. presentation
scrapbook is scrapbook The as a whole
very creative is neat and scrapbook lacks
and presentable. lack neatness.
interesting. neatness.

SUMMARY
The music of Southeast Asia has been present since the 2 nd to 3rd
Century BC. Music is an important part of their lives because they use it for
rituals, ceremonies, courting, and entertainment.

Instruments in Southeast Asia can be classified according to the

Hornbostel-Sachs classification. Most of the instruments are percussive with
an exception of some aerophones and chordophones. Each country’s musical
instruments and even some songs are somewhat similar to each other due to
their history of trading and migration.

Songs from Southeast Asia commonly use pentatonic (5-tone) scales

or heptatonic (7-tone) scales

Glossary

Aerophone – any musical instrument that produces sound primarily

by causing a body of air to vibrate
Chordophone – any musical instrument that makes sound by way of a
vibrating string or strings stretched between two points
Form – the structure of a musical composition
Idiophone – any musical instrument which creates sound primarily
by way of the instrument vibrating by itself
Kulintang – an ancient instrumental form of music composed on a
row of small, horizontally-laid gongs that function
melodically, accompanied by larger, suspended
gongs and drums
Membranophone – any musical instrument which produces sound
primarily by way of a vibrating stretched membrane
Meter – the pattern of beats that combines to form musical
rhythm
Rasa Sayang – a song literally means "loving feeling." This Malay folk
song is popular in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Tempo – the speed or pace of a given piece of music
Texture – the effect of the different components of a piece of
music such as melody, harmony rhythm, or the use of
different instruments
Timbre – the quality or color of tone of an instrument or voice
Tonality – the relationship between the notes and chords of a
passage or work that tends to establish a central note
or harmony as its focal point.
References
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTCFS0pgBps&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=MQnSM7_ks
sM http://cmtk3.webring.org/l/rd?ring=indoring;id=7;url=http%3A%2F
%2Fwww
%2Emamalisa%2Ecom%2F%3Fp%3D532%26t%3Dec%26c%3D73
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rasa_Sayang
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1AiCTJ9t8g
http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=3vezWaMh3M0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmlAZxha8Pw
Encarta Encyclopedia
Notation in Vietnamese court music
http://www.vnmusicologyinst.vnn.vn/english/information/bai_HTkyamtrongANCD_7
_08.htm
Share the Music: McMillan/McGraw-Hill Publishing Company New York
Ru Con:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2BCBrHE-dw