Bussakorn Binson

Improvisation, Thang, and Thai Musical Structure

Despite its centrality to Thai musical thought and practice, Thai and English-language scholars have been reluctant to use the term ‘improvisation’ to describe Thai music. This reluctance stems from a number of interrelated factors, including the incommensurability of terms and concepts in the Thai and Western musical systems, scholars’ lack of familiarity with Thai and/or Western musical structure, and the improvisatory practices associated with them, especially jazz, which is thought to exemplify improvisation, and lack of clarity in understanding the Thai musical concepts of prae, plae, and thang that underpin Thai musical thought and provide the context in which improvisation can, and in some cases must, occur. By laying out some general principles associated with improvisation, especially Pressing’s concept of the ‘referent’, and describing how these relate to Thai musical structure, thought, and practice, we clarify uncertainty about Thai music’s structure and performance processes. We show that in learning to perform, Thai musicians develop intimate knowledge of their musical system and the stylistic qualities of all instruments. Their training teaches them to think in terms that mirror the logic of the musical system and enables them to improvise in stylistically appropriate ways.

Effects of Music Intervention on Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis in the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Hospitals

This research focused on the use of music interventions in 54 patients receiving hemodialysis treatments at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration hospitals. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of live music or music listening interventions on pre and postmeasures of patients’ blood pressure, pulse rate, pain, and anxiety. The results showed significant improvements in blood pressure and pulse rate and statistically significant reductions in pain and anxiety for patients in both music interventions (P < .05). There were no significant differences in these effects between live music intervention and music listening. Both kinds of music interventions were found to significantly reduce the rate of perceived pain and anxiety. It can be summarized that both types of music interventions can be used according to patients’ need and necessity, and concern of budget, personnel, and facility within each hospital are taken into consideration.