Abstract:
This study deals with performance and singing methods for Laong Saong, melodies for the royal accompaniment of taking a bath. It is analyzed and found that Laong Saong might be classified into 2 types: one for ceremony and one for drama accompaniment. The role of the song is to accompany with the movements of taking a bath and getting dressed so as to carry out the formal functions. In drama, when a character has carry out important tasks such as to do battle, to attend to the king, to meet a heroine etc, he has to take a bath and get dressed in the first place. The typical drama that the song is used is Lakhon-nai, the play for the inner group. As its name suggests, this type of play was originated in the royal court of Ayutthaya to entertain the royalty and the nobility and it is no doubt that it is one of the most artistic and classical forms of performing art. Two kinds of Laong Saong are employed in the play : Laong Saong Thon and Laong Saong Surai. However, two more kinds are found in the research---Laong Saong Pi Pat and Laong Saong Nok Kra Jok. Six songs are used in the play: Laong Saong Pi Pat (no vocal), Laong Saong Thon, Laong Saong Surai, Laong Saong Lao, Laong Saong Khaek and Laong Saong Mon. Then it is followed by the songs Thon Rot, Thon Ma, Thon Chang which were only played in Khon (masked dance) and Lakhon-nai. After taking a bath and getting dressed, the character has to get on a car, or a horse, or an elephant in order to go to a certain place consecutively. In singing and performing, the lyrics describe the moment when a character is getting dressed. In this part , emotion is neutral ; neither character is sad nor happy because the characters perform daily routines. The song is sung in moderate tempo. Na Tub, the rhythm, is special, for instance, Pleng Laong Saong Thon, Pleng Laong Saong Surai, Pleng Laong Saong Pi Pat (Thai). Pleng Laong Saong Nok Kra Jok employs Na Tub Laong Saong; Pleng Laong Saong Lao, Na Tub Lao; Pleng Laong Saong Mon, Na Tub Sming Tong; Pleng Laong Saong Khaek, Na Tub Khaek Chan Diew( the quick-tempo melody). In singing and performing Pleng Laong Saong Surai, Pleng Laong Saong Mon and Pleng Laong Saong Lao, the vocal melodies and the main melodies are combined smoothly and closely. Pleng Laong Saong Thon and Pleng Laong Saong Khaek have only vocal melodies but ther is no main melodies. Apart from Laong Saong, Pleng Chom Talat (the song of visiting a market) is played for getting dressed and is generally used.