The Elaborate chakhe Musical Characteristics of Thongdi Sutcharithun’s Style

Abstract

This research aims to 1) study the performing techniques of the chakhe (Thai zither) based on the chakhe performing practice by Thongdi Sutcharitkun (the well-known sophisticate chakhe master) and 2) discover the musical characteristics of the musical realization of the chakhe based on Thongdi Sutcharitkun’s performing style. The qualitative research methods were applied to conduct this research by studying the related document and doing the interview. 

The results showed that 1) Thongdi Sutcharitkun used a wide range of performing techniques as follows: dit rua, dit sabat, sabat siang diao, sabat sam siang, dit thing noi, dit proi siang, dit rut niw, dit rut siang, dit top sai, kot siang, kra-thop sai, prip, and kha-yi, and 2) the musical characteristics of the chakhe realization can been shown through the refined and melodious styles with a question and answer musical structure and also in the phleng diao (a solo piece), there are the question-answer musical structural phrase, the repeatable melodies, klon phak, and the realized musical paths with various musical dialects blend such as mon and khaek.