The Significance of Percussion Instruments in Isan Thai Folk Music within the Context of Music Education and Learning

Abstract

In northeastern Thailand, the beating heart of tradition and music intertwines seamlessly. The objective of this study was to explore the significance of percussion instruments in Isan Thai folk music within the context of music education and learning. The scope of the research site spans the northeastern Provinces of Thailand. The study employs qualitative interviews with experts and practitioners, complemented by field visits and observations. The findings emphasize that Isan Thai folk music serves as a cultural bridge, nurturing mutual understanding and expressing the extraordinary occurrences within the community. Music education emerges as a pivotal tool in safeguarding the cultural heritage of Isan Thai folk music, offering students a window into diverse cultures, and enriching their appreciation of the world's cultural tapestry. Despite challenges such as a dearth of successors and waning interest among the younger generation. The preservation of Isan percussion instruments is an invaluable component of intangible cultural heritage, thus contributing substantially to the broader discourse on cultural heritage preservation and the role of music education in fostering cross-cultural appreciation and understanding.