Abstract:
This research aims to study the life of Master Bunyoung Katkong, the structure and the origin of the principal melody of the Chaed Chin, double-level musical composition, the technique in playing this musical composition by the Ranad Thum or the traditional alto wooden xylophone as well as the uniqueness of the melody of the Choed Chin, double-level musical composition, played by the Ranad Thum. The research has found that Master Bunyoung Katkong studied music with his elder brother, Master Bunyong Katkong, when he was young. He had shown his musical talent and had taken part in many Pipat musical competitions, which brought him fame. In his youth, he had the chance to take musical lessons with many well-known musical masters; for example, Master Petch Channathaya and Master Luang Praditpairoh (Sorn Silpabunleng). His professional experience in traditional Thai musical instruments made him famous and widely accepted. He taught the Ranad Thum lessons to his students from various schools. Music masters and artists of later generations have continued to admire Master Bunyoung Katkongs style of playing the Ranad Thum for its uniqueness and the style has been adopted until the present time. From the study of the principal melody and the Ranad Thum performance of the Choed Chin musical composition by Master Boonyoung Katkong, it has been found that the first note of the principal melody is extended from the sixth note of thirty bars of the Choed Nai, double level musical composition. Then the sixth note of the Choed Nai, single level musical composition is added to complete the composition. The second, third and fourth notes are newly created without depending on a melody of any musical composition, except for the beginning of the fourth note, which uses a fast tempo melody of the Chin Sae musical composition. It has also been found that the lyrics of the second to the fourth notes suggest a combination of the performance technique of shift, alternation, repetition, contrast and resonance. Then, each note will end with the final part of the Choed Nai, one level musical composition. The proceeding of the melody involves the change in the musical scales within and without. The uniqueness in the Ranad Thum performance by Master Bunyoung Katkong can be seen in his striking the double-musical chords in alternation with the movement of the hands, which is based on the movement of a pianists hands, the emphasis on the sounds and the control of the depth and quality of the sounds and the proceeding of the melody which is mainly controlled by the left hand. All these unique characteristics of Master Bunyoung Katkong have contributed to a unique style in playing the Ranas Thum, which has been popular until the present time.