The music is so beautiful. It’s hard to describe.

Weeraphong is one of 15 musicians in the world - and the only Thai - who’s a master of the glass harp.

“I had to throw away more than 1,000 glasses to find the 29 I use in my show,” says Weeraphong, who graduated from Chulalongkorn University with a degree in music education.

Weeraphong studied the classical guitar before seeing a documentary in 1997 about American glass harpist Jamey Turner. “I was really amazed by the sound. When the video ended, I immediately went out and bought glasses to practise,” recalls the 43-year-old musician.

The glass harp originated in China and Persia in the 14th century, but its present form has only been around for about 500 years. Glasses are arranged in rows, making chords easier to play. Some glass harpists, like Weeraphong, put water in their glasses to get the right pitch. Others have glasses specially ground until they are perfectly tuned. That way, no additional tuning is ever needed.

Weeraphong only uses brandy glasses. He says the composition and shape gives it a deeper, richer echo than crystal glass. There’s another advantage with brandy glasses. They’re cheaper than crystal. Brandy glasses start at Bt40 apiece, while crystal glasses can cost as much as Bt400.

“Your hands must be clean before rubbing your fingers over the rims of the glasses,” Weeraphong says, demonstrating how the pitch of a glass will be lower when water is added and higher when water is poured out. “Dirty hands have oil that will make your fingers slip along the rims rather than rub.” It’s the friction that produces the sound.

While Weeraphong doesn’t give individual lessons, he’s happy to teach classes at schools or institutes that invite him to teach students how to play the glass harp. Students learn about the tonal characteristics of glass, get a chance to produce specific notes, and finally play a song on the glass harp.

Weeraphong is currently teaching the glass harp to prisoners at Nakhon Pathom Central Prison. He heard about music being used as a form of therapy and volunteered to tutor the inmates.

Dream, a 24-year-old prisoner, says the glass harp has made her life in prison more bearable. “I was bored with life in prison,” she says. “But the glass harp has given me a very enjoyable activity. It’s better than counting the days, waiting for my prison term to be finished.”

She adds that the glass harp has also improved her memory. She must memorise musical pieces and remember the different tones and how to play them on the harp.

Jamnian, who has been in jail for three years, says the glass harp relieves stress.

“Its ‘cool’ voice really is good for people like us,” says the 37-year-old. “My life in prison used to be filled with anxiety - waiting for my family to come. But each time I hear the harp’s voice, I feel relaxed and my concern calms down.”

Dream, Jamnian and others prisoners performed for HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana last December.

“Sometimes, I think that if I weren’t a prisoner, I wouldn’t have had the chance to play the glass harp,” Jamnian says. “It’s an opportunity that most people never get.”

Schools and institutes interested in having Weeraphong teach the glass harp can call him at (01) 312 0092.

Watchara Saengsrisin

The Nation

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Mobile World: FIVE LUCKY AIS CALLERS TO GET A ‘DETOX’ COURSE

Advanced Info Service (AIS) will give a free detoxification course to five subscribers who call its interactive voice-response-based Health Station service this month.

The leading mobile-phone operator will pick the five winners on a random basis at the end of the month and they will get a free “detox” course at the Balavi Natural Healthcare Holistic Medicine Centre.

The offer is part of a strategy to encourage mobile-phone subscribers to use content services. Subscribers can access AIS’s Health Station by dialling 914.

The content, which is provided by the Balavi centre, is divided into health tips, relaxation, diet and natural health such as alternative methods of healthcare.

I tried the relaxation service, which told me how to practice a yoga style of breathing before going to sleep so I’d wake up refreshed in the morning.

I was almost lulled to sleep by the therapeutic music, which played in the background, while I listened to the information.

The charge for accessing Health Station is Bt3 per minute for prepaid users and Bt4 per minute for post-paid users.

Sirivish Toomgum

Connected@nationgroup.com