The Thai Pi Phat ensemble is similar to the better known Indonesian gamelan orchestra. The instruments here are the basis of the Pi Phat, including:

Khong Wong Yai - set of sixteen pitched gong-kettles that surround the musician and are played with large, medium-hard mallets.

(1993-02-08)

Ranat Ek - xylophone with a single resonator for all pitches. The ranat ek provides the main melodic material for the ensemble.

(1993-02-12)

(1993-02-13)

Taphon - barrel drum that provides the more intricate rhythms. Both heads are played with the fingers and hands. The pitch of the heads is controlled by a flour paste applied to the center of the head.

Khong Wong Lek - like the khong wong yai, but in a higher range.

Ranat Thum - like the ranat ek, but in a lower range. It plays a supportive role.

Ching - tiny cymbals whose function is to keep time and indicate the pattern of a piece by the pattern of strokes they play.

Though the Pi Phat ensemble is many centuries old, its current instrumentation is only estimated to have been established in the 1800s.

There is no standard pitch reference for Thai instruments; instead, each ensemble is tuned to itself. This is done with a mixture of lead shavings and beeswax that is applied to the underside of the gongs, xylophones and metalophones so that each bar or kettle is individually tuned. The Pi Phat ensemble is tuned to a seven-note, equidistant scale.