.:: Thai Folk Musical Instruments ::.

Ranad-ek, this is a type of xylophone in high pitches which consists of 21-22 wooden bars strung together into a bridging set, being hooked on top of a long resonant box by both ends making an oblong curved shape that looks like a boat. The bars can be made either of bamboo or a kind of hard wood called 'Mai ching chan'. Ranad- ek is played as the leading instrument of an ensemble; and its playing method has been known of developing into very high degree of skill, The Ranad- ek is usually played in styles, ie, one style called 'Mai khaeng' (hard sticks); and other is 'Mai nuam' (soft sticks). All kinds of Ranad- ek are tuned to final pitch by the addition of a mixture of beeswax and lead shavings being attached at spots underneath each bar being so tuned.