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Pīsaw and Can.
In addition to the musical instruments already described, mention must also be made of some others which, I think, are old musical instruments of the Thai people (see plate VIII). One is called 'Pi Saw' and is made of bamboo tubes of varying sizes. It has been used from very early times to accompany singing, as mentioned, for example, in the story of "Phra Law." Nowadays it is played only in the Circle of Bayah. The other known as 'Can' is a bundle of reeds joined to an air-chamber and blown with the mouth in accompaniment to singing. To-day it is still popular in the eastern provinces. The 'Pī Saw' and reed organ players separate themselves into two groups, men on one side and women on the other, and they sing love songs in duet. During the reign of King Chulalongkorn, the 1st Guard Infantry Regiment introduced the use of ten reed organs of varying sizes in unison like the instruments of European orchestra. The effect was found pleasing, and the orchestra of reed organs therefore continues to be played even to-day.
Within this class there is yet another group of instruments. Each of them consists of some bamboo tubes and an air-chamber. One which is called 'Ray Rye' gives but a single note (I have seen this played by laymen in the Bovarnives Monastery when the general assembly of the monks begin their daily service. But it is not known for what purpose it was originally used). The second, called 'Naw', belongs to the "Mū ser" tribe. The third, called 'Teng', belongs to the "Meo", and is still used in dances in the districts on the northern frontier of Siam. There is also another musical instrument which was formerly a favourite with the Siamese. I am not sure whether it is our own or we have adopted it from some other people. It is a kind of Jew's harp called 'Chong Nong', It is made of bamboo and provided with a tongue whcih can be twanged with the hand or vibrated by means of a twine fastened to it⟨.⟩ The performer holds the instrument in his mouth, twangs or vibrates its tongue, puffs his cheeks, and breathes the required variations of tone upon it. It can produce melody and is played solo. They say that the lover played the 'Chong Nong' outside his lady's house as a sign. Now no one uses it. I suspect that the instrument is exotic since I have seen a small musical instrument of the same kind, made of iron called 'Pia Lek' which has long been in the market.
