Myanmar - Myanmar’s Pride and Glory
August 16th 2008 23:09
Signature Tune
An instrument with a sweet, melodious sound, graceful in style, is the Myanmar harp or “Saung”. Bold and unique in its appearance, it also produces sweet, melodious sounds, made for the pitch, harmony and melody of Myanmar classical music. The “Saung” consists of two main parts. One parts, being the large base, boat-shaped body and the other being the graceful bow-shaped curved mast, protruding from the boat-shaped body. There’s a banyan leaf-shaped point, at the top of the bow-shaped curved mast. The ornamental hairpin-shaped piece, next to the bow of the harp is put there to make the sound of the harp more melodious and at the same time make connection between the mast and the boat shaped bow firm. In olden time, the main drum ensembles of the “Saung” were usually made from gum-Kino trees, teak, timber, hardwood, and mountain jackfruit trees. Nowadays, gum-Kino trees are mostly used. The curved mast is mostly made from the black catechu. The mast is shaped like a monkey, sitting with its tail, curved upwards. The harp strings are usually made of silk cords or twine. The thickness or thinness of the string depends on the high or low note produced. Nowadays, keys just like the ones used on guitars are used on the harp to make tuning easier and faster. A stand or pedestal has to be made to keep the harp on display when it is not being played. The stand or pedestal is also painted to match the harp.In a way, this pedestal adheres to the beauty and glory of the harp. In a way, this pedestal adheres to the beauty and glory of the harp. I’m sure you enjoyed our program on the Myanmar Saung, one of the oldest of our musical instrument and which we are proud to call it “ Our own!
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