A Study of Transmission of Pee – Tai Performance by Kuan Thuanyok (National Artist)

Abstract

The research aimed at studying the life, workings, and transmission process of the Pee – Tai performance of Kuan Thuanyok. Data was collected from interviews and participatory observation with Mr. Kuan Thuanyok, students receiving the transmission of the Pee – Tai’s knowledge, and intimate person -  group of Southern local musicians. The research findings were that Mr. Kuan Thuanyok was born into a family of musicians in Songkhla Province. He began to practice the Thai alto xylophone with Mr. Tut Thuanyok and continued to practice others; Pee – Tai was his most favourite music instrument. A starting point as a teacher was working as a gardener and a university musician at the Songkhla Rajabhat University. Until the year 2010, he was honored as a national artist of Thailand. In the process of transmitting of the Pee – Tai performance, he taught both students basic and non – basic knowledge. It has been taught in groups and separately. In the teaching strategy, he uses the sound of the Pee - Tai instead of music notes. The process of transmission can be divided into three phases. Phase 1: before learning, there was an evaluation of the basic knowledge and the ceremony of indoctrination. Phase 2: learning 8 steps, they consisted of holding, blowing the main sound, practicing experimental sound songs, playing other notes, playing short songs, playing long songs, playing in a group, and playing by the student own self. Phase 3: after learning, it was an assessment after practicing and letting students gain experience. Therefore, Mr. Kuan Thuanyok has had excellent skills in the transmission of the Pee – Tai performance, accepted the differences of students, and has been a good role model in terms of morality for students.