Pi (instrument)

{{Short description|Quadruple reed oboes of Thailand}} [[File:Pi Mon.jpg|thumb|Pi mon]]

'''''Pi''''' ({{langx|th|[[wikt:ปี่|ปี่]]}}, {{IPA|th|pìː|pron}}) is the generic term for any of a variety of [[quadruple reed]] [[oboes]] used in the traditional [[music]] of [[Thailand]], ''[[piphat]]''. It is very similar in construction and playing technique to Burmese [[Hne]] and Cambodian ''[[sralai]]''.

==Varieties== {{Columns-list|colwidth=35em| *''Pi chawa'' (ปี่ชวา) *''Pi klang'' (ปี่กลาง) *''Pi mon'' (ปี่มอญ) *''Pi nai'' (ปี่ใน) *''Pi nok'' (ปี่นอก) *''Pi chanai'' (ปี่ไฉน) *''Pi nae'' (ปี่แน)}}

An entirely different instrument, a bamboo [[free reed]] pipe called ''pi chum'' (ปี่จุม), is used by the [[Lanna]] of [[Northern Thailand]].

==Pi nok== The ''pi nok'' is smallest among pi nok, klang, and nai. Pi noks have been played since the ancient times.

==Pi nai== The ''pi nai'' (41–42×4.5 cm) is commonly seen in [[Thai literature]] such as ''Phra Aphai Mani''.

==Pi cha nai== The ''pi chanai'' is ''pi song thon'' (ปี่สองท่อน, ''pi'' that consists of two parts). The body part is called ''lao pi'' (เลาปี่), the mouthpiece part is called "lamphong" (ลำโพง). Both parts are made from wood or ivory. It is presumed that the Thais obtained this musical influence from [[India]] due to its similarity to the Indian [[shehnai]]. ''Pi'' have been used in Thai since the [[Sukhothai Kingdom|Sukhothai]] period. At present, it is played together with the ''pi chawa'' in parades and in concerts.

==Pi chawa== The ''pi chawa'' is ''pi song thon'' (ปี่สองท่อน) (a ''pi'' that consists of two parts) like the ''pi chanai'', but longer. It is made from hardwood or ivory. It is presumed Thais took on introducing the ''pi chawa'' at the same time as the ''[[klong khaek|glong khaek]]''. From some evidence, they used the ''pi chawa'' in ''Krabuan Phayuhayattra'' (กระบวนพยุหยาตรา, military march) in the pre-Ayutthaya period. The ''pi chawa'' today is used mostly in the ''[[Sarama (Thai music)|Sarama]]'' and ''phleng muay'' music that accompanies [[muay Thai]] matches, as well as in funeral rites. K

==Pi chum== The '''pi chum''' ({{langx|th|[[wikt:ปี่จุม|ปี่จุม]]}}) is a musical instrument from northern Thailand. It is like an oboe.<ref>{{Cite book|title = The Concise Garland Encyclopedia of World Music|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=a90rBgAAQBAJ|publisher = Routledge|date = 2013-02-01|isbn = 9781136095948}}</ref>{{page needed|date=September 2018}} It is found in the provinces of [[Chiang Mai Province|Chiang Mai]], [[Chiang Rai Province|Chiang Rai]], Lampoon and Lampang. People play a pi chum for their activity.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Pi so or pi chum|url = http://www.asza.com/ipijoom.shtml|website = www.asza.com|access-date = 2015-11-22|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151209210106/http://www.asza.com/ipijoom.shtml|archive-date = 2015-12-09}}</ref> The word "chum" in Thai means "group", so when people play a pi chum, they play as a group.

=== Construction === The body of the pi chum is made from bamboo. The pipe and the reed are made from copper.<ref>[http://tkapp.tkpark.or.th/stocks/content/developer1/thaimusic/32_peejum/web/detail.html ปี่จุม] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119105058/http://tkapp.tkpark.or.th/stocks/content/developer1/thaimusic/32_peejum/web/detail.html |date=19 January 2017 }} Originally accessed: 2015-11-22. {{in lang|th}}</ref> A pi chum has seven holes on the body that are used to set the tone of played. There are four types of pi chum that are separated by size, length and voice. The first one is the pi mae ([[Thailand|Thai]]: ปี่แม่) which has a length of 70–80 cm. It is larger than other pi chums and has a bass voice. The second one is the pi krang ([[Thailand|Thai]]: ปี่กลาง), which is smaller than the pi mae. It has a length of 60–65 cm. and it has a balance voice. The third one is pi koy ([[Thailand|Thai]]: ปี่ก้อย), which is smaller than the pi krang but bigger than the pi tad. It has a length of 45–55 cm. The voice of the pi koy is treble. The last type is the pi tad (Thai: ปี่ตัด) or pi lek ([[Thailand|Thai]]: ปี่เล็ก), which is the smallest pi chum. It has a length 35–40 cm. The voice of pi tad is treble but higher than the pi koy. A group that has all four instruments is called a ‘pi chum si’ ([[Thailand|Thai]]: ปี่จุมสี่) and a group that has three instruments is called a ‘pi chum sarm’ ([[Thailand|Thai]]: ปี่จุมสาม).

==Pi mon== The ''pi mon'' is ''pi song thon'' (ปี่สองท่อน, pi that consist of two parts) like pi chawa but greater. ''Lao pi'' (เลาปี่, the body of ''pi'') is made from wood. ''Lamphong'' (ลำโพง, the mouth of ''pi'') is made from metal. The ''pi mon'' is played usually in the ''[[piphat mon]]'' ensemble or in the old called ''pi phat raman'' ensemble. <ref>[http://www.student.chula.ac.th/~48467689/Thaipee.html ปี่] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070116122955/http://www.student.chula.ac.th/~48467689/Thaipee.html |date=2007-01-16 }} {{in lang|th}}</ref> <ref>[http://rayongzone.com/soontornpoo/pee.php3 เครื่องดนตรีประเภทเครื่องเป่า ปี่] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219211102/http://www.rayongzone.com/soontornpoo/pee.php3 |date=19 December 2008 }} {{in lang|th}}</ref> <ref>[http://funkysonglyrics.com/thailand/th/audio-sound/audio-sound-3.html ปี่ เครื่องดนตรีไทย ประเภทเป่า] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927203941/http://funkysonglyrics.com/thailand/th/audio-sound/audio-sound-3.html |date=2007-09-27 }} {{in lang|th}}</ref> <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080406063317/http://www.siammelody.com/thaimusic/pao.htm#pao5 เครื่องดนตรีประเภทเครื่องเป่า] {{in lang|th}}</ref> This type can be played in any occasion as well, like funerals and concerts.

== Pi nae == The ''pi nae'' is the northern Thai equivalent of the Burmese ''[[hne]]''. It is often played in ensembles in northern Thailand that are similar to the ''piphat'', ''piphat mon'', and ''[[hsaing waing]]'' traditions.

==See also== *[[Piphat]] *[[Traditional Thai musical instruments]] *[[Pey au]] *[[Pey pok]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20120421040602/http://www.culture.go.th/research/musical/music/central/mp3/pi.mp3 Sound sample] *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMXsSZ_cERQ Northern Thai piphat ensemble using a Pi Nae]

[[Category:Quadruple-reed instruments]] [[Category:Thai musical instruments]]