Burma : A Handbook of Practical Information - Khamkoo

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 355
drum flattens out to his touch it gets out of tune. Indeed,
the performance of a skilful phiyer on the Saiiig-
Waiiig is quite a. feat. He must be a man possessed of
no small amount of musical talent, with a technical and
practical knowledge of tuning. The sound of the drum,
usually associated with rattling, tapping, and booming,
is in this arrangement transformed to that of a beautiful
musical vibrating tone of a pianoforte, incomparable, however,
in its volume and grandeur. From the sweet
pianissimo of the parlour instrument, its swelling, thundering
fortissimo could be heard two or three miles off.
This musical instrument, witliout doubt, is the most unique
in the world, and the Burmese are the only people that
manufacture the drum and use it in the manner described.
The clarion, Kyi-Waing, and Saing-Waing are essentially
melody instruments, to which are added the bass drum,
two tenor drums, one pair large and one pair small cymbals,
and two bamboo clappers, to compose a full band. The bass
and the tenor drums are tuned with equal precision to
the tonic and its domitant. The clarion may often be
supplemented by one or two more flutes in a wellfurnished
band.
The next instrument of great importance is the harp.
The ancient character is still preserved in the details of
its construction. The shape is like the hull of a Burmese
boat dug out of a solid piece. The bow is surmounted
by a round, curved piece. The deck of the boat, formed
by stretching a calfskin tightly over the sides, is the
sounding-board. The strings, made of spun silk, are
usually thirteen in number. They are tuned in 1, 2, 3,
5, 6, and 8 tones. The 4-th and 7th, to form the gamut,
are obtained by a manipulation of the thumb of the left
hand. Proficiency on the harp is most highly esteemed
by the Burmese, good players on it being only found
amongst those who formed the retinue of the king. A
master player on the harp is called Einlha-deiva, which
means a celestial musician. Musical instruments are not,
as a rule, played by women, but an exception is made
in the case of the harp. The lady who could play a harp
was sure to be selected as maid of honour to the queen
in the days of Burmese royalty.