Bowed Strings
Salor
Salor is a Thai Northern bowed string instrument. It has an open soundbox made from coconut shell, It is tuned in perfect fifth or perfect fourth, depending on the player’s preference. Unlike other Thai fiddles, the bow is separate from the instrument. The players twist the angel of the Salor to change between 2 strings.
- Chromatic
- Thai Tuning
Saw U
The Saw U is Thai traditional fiddle with two silk strings, played with a bow which located between the strings, the soundbox of the instrument is made of a coconut shell and covered on the open front by cowhide. It has a rich unique dark and mellow tone, similar to the Cambodian Tro U. Usually tuned in Bb3 – F4, it can play both traditional and Western Chromatic Tuning.
- Chromatic
- Thai Tuning
Saw Duang
Saw Duang is a two-stringed bowed Thai traditional instrument. The soundbox has a hollow cylindrical shape made from hard wood or ivory. The one side of the body is covered with a stretched snake skin, which expands the vibration of the strings. It creates a bright tone that’s higher pitch than the Saw U. Usually tuned in F4 – C5, can play both traditional and Western Chromatic Tuning. It’s similar to Chinese stringed instrument called Huqin.
- Chromatic
- Thai Tuning
Saw Sam Sai
Saw Sam Sai is a Thai traditional bowed string instrument. This fiddle has three strings with a separate bow, It has a low-pitched vibrating sound that gives a deep and soft feeling with complete of low, medium and high tones. It is similar to Cambodian instrument called Tro Khmer.
Saw sam sai used to be a part of ancient Thai ensemble originated in Sukhothai era called “Kub Mai” ensemble. The ensemble consisted of Saw sam sai, Bundaw(Damaru) and singer, uses in royal ceremonies.
- Chromatic
- Thai Tuning
Saw Isan
Saw Isan is a Northeast bowed string instrument which made from local materials such as coconut shell, bamboo tube or stainless cans with two wire strings. It is usually tuned in perfect fifth, similar to saw u but different in characteristic and most often played in Isan region of Thailand.
- Chromatic
Saw Kuntrum
- Chromatic