Khim in Thai Educational System

Abstract

    The research of “Khim in the Thai educational system” was qualitative research that aimed to study about teaching and learning the Khim musical instrument in Thailand and to study about the pedagogy of Khim. The main research questions were: What has been the development of teaching Khim in Thailand from the past to the present time? And what is the pedagogy of Khim in the Thai educational system?    The historical information and field trip information were used in this research and the results of the research are: The study of Khim in the musical bureau of The Thai Musical Bureau of Luang Pradit Pailoh (Sorn Silapa Banleng)’s Foundation teaches Khim on Saturdays and Sundays; the style of teaching is one by one and the group band. The teachers are former students of the bureau and the learners are generally interested people. The curriculum is divided into 11 levels of practice and 18 points of music theory. For study of Khim in primary and secondary schools, the local curriculum is used and the teaching is in 3 types: in class studying time, out of class studying time (in the morning, at noon and after school), and on Saturdays and Sundays. The style of teaching is in the group band. The learners play every musical instrument in the band, including the Khim. For study of Khim in higher education institutes, there are three higher education institutes teaching Khim as the major subject for the Bachelor’s degree: the Faculty of Education at Chulalongkorn University, the Faculty of Fine Arts at Srinakarintarawirote University, and the College of Music at Mahidol University. Students will get either a Bachelor degree of B.Ed. or B.A. For study of Khim in 15 (2) private schools, the curriculums of teaching Khim in private schools are different in structure, length of each level andperiod of studying. The curriculum is for 3 years and 9 years, and is divided into fundamental, intermediate and advanced.    Every pedagogy of Khim in schools, bureaus and institutes mentioned above is in the style of one by one, in pair, and in the group band. Songs for practicing are assigned for each level. The main equipment is the Khim and the percussion: Ching and Tone – Ramana. Musical notation is provided to help to remember, review and examine songs. The musical activities of Khim are performing for different occasions, musical camps, musical seminas, and Khim competition at the national and international levels. Paper tests, behavior observation forms and practice tests are used for evaluation and assessment. Sometimes, a practice test in front of a well- qualified committee of Khim experts has to be done.Keywords: Khim, Thai education, Thai Music