Author(s): Weerayut Seekhunlio, Sayam Chuangprakhon
This research article presents the results of a study on “The Manufacture of Klong - Yao Isan by The Ban Talat Klong - Yao Isan Production Group at Ban Wai, Wapi Pathum, Mahasarakham”. which is part of the research report on “A Guideline of Making Isan Long-Drums by Using a Technique of Merging Woods Instead of the Pieces of Wood.” This research was qualitative. The data was collected by document and fieldwork data. The research instruments consisted of interviews and observatories. The data were analyzed and performed under the established procedures. According to the study, it found that the method of making the Isan traditional Isan Klong Yao started with the preparation of the wood. Wood trunks with a diameter of 10-13 inches and a length of about 1 meter were used to make a 9 '', 10 '', 11 '', and 12 '' Isan Klong Yao, respectively. The wood trunks were then machined with a wood lathe forming an Isan Klong Yao. Klong Yao can be divided into three parts: the upper part is cylindrical, the drum hip, and the drum end. To rake out the wood, the trunks were cored about 1 inch thick. Then make drum grooves, drum reeds, and decorations. For making the drumhead of Klong Yao, the hides used were dried cowhides that were obtained by stretching the cow rawhide in the sun, then measured the cowhide against the drum mouth to cut to a 2-inch-long shroud. Punched a hole to the drumskin and strapped leather cords to attach the drumskin to the Klong Yao, then put the string between the leather cord holes and the steel rods under the grooves. When the drumhead is finished, put the drum in the sun to dry out the drumskin. Once the drum is dry, use a knife to scrape off all the hair and sand the surface with sandpaper. And the last step is to re-tighten the drum string to make the drumskin firmed resulting in a better sound.