Abstract:
This research studied the history and development of Pia and analyzed the structure and
the musical characteristic of Pia songs.
Results showed that the Pin-Pia, which is a Lanna musical instrument, is one of the
oldest musical instruments and its music in the world. The body of a Pia has developed from the
original shape of a bow, which was used to hunt animals. Pia has an influence from Indian
musical culture, which came through South-East Asia at the same time as Brahmanism and
Buddhism.
The musical characteristics of Pia music are a melodic progression in Pentatonic scale
and Hexatonic scale. A rhythmic pattern is used for composing Counterpoint in a Pia song instead
of percussion. From the fieldwork research it was found that there are three traditional Pia songs,
and no contemporary Pia songs, it shows that the Pia song is still lacking a present form.
This thesis is useful for the study of the Pia song. It can be used to givean example and
understanding of Pia and its music. This thesis may be useful in givihg a knowledge of Pia songs,
and to improving or devebping a new composion of Pin Pia.