Sok gwae – Karen Lute (Four Strings) 3

It is believed that the Karen adopted their sok gwae fretted lute centuries ago from the northern Thai lute, seung, albeit replacing Lanna melodies with their own. Measuring in length from seventy centimeters to over a meter, sok gwae are crafted in hardwood in three parts: a large, round, flat-backed sound box that has been hollowed; a thin wooden resonator top fitted with metal nails and pierced with artfully placed sound holes; and a long neck. The lute’s long pegs, bridge, and four frets are crafted in soft wood.

Karen lutes are mounted with four metal strings, which stretch from the tailpiece where they are attached, over its resonator, sound holes, and finger board, to four tuning pegs at the headstock.  These strings are uniquely aligned as two pairs, each set close together and tuned to the same pitch. Thus, the two sets, which are tuned a fifth apart, produce double vibration and abundant harmonics, giving the Karen sok gwae a lively, reverberating resonance that accompanies singers.

Sok gwae are noted for the bold geometric carvings, designs also found in Karen tattoos, that mark the resonator top, back, and ribs, and decorative curvilinear headstocks, often sculpted as a snake or deer, Karen symbols of strength.

Note: This hardwood Karen lute is notable for several reasons. Due to its unusually massive size and weight, a musician must necessarily be seated to play it.  To complement its overwhelming appearance, this sok gwae features a delicate carving of a sambar deer on its headstock, with lovely arched horns.

Using a pentatonic scale that highlights the sok gwae’s vibrant double strings, tuned a fifth apart, Karen male musicians play the sok gwae solo or to accompany singing for personal enjoyment, reflection, and courtship, as they perform traditional songs based on Karen culture, life lessons, and all emotions related to love and loss.

Recording:
Instrumental solo, played on the sok gwae lute (S’gaw Karen)

Som Mat, Ban Um Da Nua, Sop Moei, Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand, January 2009

Ethnic Group: Karen

Local Name: Sok gwae

Type: Lute (four strings)

Class: Chordophone

Tuning: Four strings—two pairs adjusted to the same pitch— tuned at an interval of a perfect fifth.

Age: Mid-20th c.

Materials: Hard wood, soft wood, metal

Dimensions: 108 x 38 x 16.5 cm / 42.5″ x 15″ x 6.5″

Location: Northwest Thailand

Owner / Instrument Maker:

Catalog Number: 6397