Krachapi Performing Techniques and Melodies for Rabam Borankhadee Music by Kru Montri Tramote's 1967 Original Version

Abstract

This study aims to investigate playing techniques and melodic contours of Krachapi instrument appeared in the archeological dance suite. Comprising five movements, the suite was composed by venerable Montri Tramote and premiered in 1967. Using qualitative research methods. The research finding shows that a Krachapi, having small, medium and large sizes, mainly employs an upward plucking technique to produce the sound of the instrument. While large sizes generally rely on upward techniques, small and medium sizes mainly use downward plucking techniques. Seven plucking techniques are classified: (1) trill on a single note; (2) mordent; (3) glissando; (4) trill on three consecutive notes; (5) acciaccatura; (6) staccato; and (7) pluck and tap technique. While the musical identity of small Krachapi playing techniques is a short trilling technique with an emphasis, a double strike technique on the first and followed by a strike on the second string was mostly found in a large size of Krachapi. It is also found that a large size of Krachapi customarily employs a single pitch triplet and a three-pitch triplet. The exact written melodies can be found in the playing of the small Krachapi well producing sharp and clear tone quality. The medium size frequently uses melodic patterns of zigzag motions, repetitive motions, and a mirroring technique of the previous passage to make new embellished melodies. The emphasis of principal notes and essential pitches to decorate melodic lines with syncopated patterns and strumming two notes in a fifth interval on both strings can be found in large Krachapi’s playing techniques.