By Noornasrin Salsabila Othman
PASIR MAS, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- A lifelong fascination with the piercing melodies of the serunai has driven 19-year-old Lee Ming Xiang to hone his skills and help preserve the traditional flute.
Ming Xiang, a Chinese Malaysian of Tiong Hua descent, said the serunai demands precise technique rather than casual playing, requiring strong breath control, accurate finger placement and the ability to produce balanced tones.
“The serunai’s distinctive and powerful sound captivated me from a young age and inspired me to learn it, even though few people know how to play it,” he said in an interview with Bernama at his home in Kampung Pasir Parit, here.
The Form Six student at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Hamzah said he began seriously studying the serunai during the Movement Control Order in 2021, purchasing his first instrument for RM280. Receiving basic guidance from serunai makers Mohd Izani Mohd Nor, 42, and Mazlan Idris, 68, Ming Xiang said he now practises for about 30 minutes daily to refine his technique.
“I have performed at various cultural events, including wayang kulit shows in villages, a performance at Zepp Kuala Lumpur in August 2024, as well as functions organised by the Machang District Education Office and the Kelantan State Education Department last year,” he said.
Ming Xiang said he also practises blowing through a straw submerged in water to strengthen breath control, a crucial element in producing consistent sound.
One of his main challenges, he said, is mastering traditional Malay melodies, which are harder to learn than English or modern songs due to the lack of written music notation. Instead, he relies on recordings from platforms such as YouTube and guidance from teachers.
Ming Xiang currently owns five serunai — three serunai ibu (large) and two serunai anak (small) instruments — priced between RM280 and RM380 each.
Serunai ibu is widely used for performances such as wayang kulit, Mak Yong, silat, main puteri and menora, while serunai anak is typically used during wayang kulit singing for its sharper sound.
The youngest of five siblings, Ming Xiang actively shares his work on YouTube and TikTok under the name “LeMeat Productions” to introduce the serunai to a wider audience.
“If no new generation continues this legacy, the art of the serunai could disappear,” he said.
Ming Xiang, who aspires to become an English and music teacher, also hopes his efforts will help keep the tradition alive.
-- BERNAMA
