View source for Pong lang

{{Short description|Wooden xylophone from the Isan region of Thailand}}
{{Infobox Instrument
| name		=Pong lang โปงลาง
| names		=
| image		= File:Pong lang (Thai xylophone).jpg
| image_capt	= Pong lang xylophone, front. The instrument is made of shaped logs, tuned by removing wood from the center.
| background	= percussion
| classification= [[Percussion instrument|Percussion]] ([[idiophone]])
		 
| hornbostel_sachs	= [[List of idiophones by Hornbostel–Sachs number|111.212]]
| hornbostel_sachs_desc	= Sets of percussion sticks in a range of different pitches combined into one instrument, struck with a non-sonorous object
| developed	= 
|timbre         =
| decay         = 
| range		= 
| related	= 
}}

The '''pong lang''' ({{langx|th|[[wikt:โปงลาง|โปงลาง]]}}, {{RTGS|''ponglang''}}, {{IPA|th|pōːŋ.lāːŋ}}) is a [[xylophone]] from the [[Isan]] region of northeast [[Thailand]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.prapayneethai.com/%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87 |title=โปงลาง [translation: Ponglang]|author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website= prapayneethai.com|publisher= |access-date= 18 June 2019|quote="Ponglang" is a native instrument... of Isaan originating in Kalasin Province. Therefore is considered a symbol of Kalasin province...}}</ref><ref name=ministry>{{cite web |url=http://www.culture.go.th/culture_th/musical/html/musical_northeast.php?musical=pong_lang |title=โปงลาง [ translation: Ponglang]|author=<!--Not stated--> |publisher= Office of the National Culture Commission (NSTDA), Thailand Ministry of Culture |access-date= 18 June 2019|quote=a musical instrument...in the northeast... made of hardwood, various sizes...}}</ref> The instrument may be played as a standalone instrument, in pairs with one player playing melody and the other harmonizing, or as part of an orchestra.<ref name=ministry/> Players use carved two hardwood mallets.<ref name=ministry/>

The instrument is not standardized and the number of tone bars and their size can vary.<ref name=ministry/> Unlike the [[ranat ek lek]] and [[ranat thum lek]] which are strung over a box, the pong lang is hung from a post or tree with the string of tone bars arcing down toward the ground.<ref name=ministry/> wide to short. The number of tone bars varies, and 12 or 15 tone bars may make up a set. The wider bars with lower pitch sit at the top of the string and the other end (with smaller high-pitched bars) may be hooked to the player's toe or to a belt around the player's waist.<ref name=ministry/>

When there are two performers, they may sit on opposite sides of the post, facing one another. With two instruments, one plays the melody, the other plays a drone accompaniment or harmonics.<ref name=ministry/> The pong lang is mostly used for many occasions, especially for festivals and ceremonies. The instrument can be played solo or in an [[musical ensemble|ensemble]].

==See also==
*[[Ranat]]
*[[Ranat thum]]
*[[Ranat ek lek]]
*[[Ranat thum lek]]
*[[Traditional Thai musical instruments]]
*[[Luntang]]
*[[Amadinda]]
*[[Akadinda]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.culture.go.th/culture_th/musical/music/northeast_music/mp3/ponglang.mp3 Sound clip of the pong lang.]
*[https://www.flickr.com/photos/rosstrpt/6877096740/ Photo of Thai instruments. Pong lang is bottom right in photo.]

{{Traditional Laotian musical instruments}}
{{Thai musical instruments}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Thai musical instruments]]
[[Category:Keyboard percussion instruments]]
[[Category:Isan culture]]


{{Mallet-stub}}