Traditionally, the Pinpeat ensemble requires about 10 to 12 instrument players to form a full group. This is consistent with the royal and ceremonial ensembles, which typically have around 10 to 12 musicians playing various wind and percussion instruments
. The ensemble can vary in size, with smaller versions having as few as five instruments/musicians and larger ones up to around 12 or more, depending on the context and availability of musicians
. The standard full Pinpeat orchestra usually includes around nine to ten instruments, mainly xylophones, drums, gongs, and wind instruments like the sralai (a type of oboe)
. In summary:
- Small Pinpeat ensemble: about 5 musicians
- Typical/royal Pinpeat ensemble: 10 to 12 musicians
This number reflects the traditional setup used for court dances, religious ceremonies, and royal events in Cambodia
