Mak Yong is a dance drama originating in Kelantan, is performed by mainly women troupes, accompanied by all male musicians who play the rebab, serunai, 2 gongs and 2 elongated barrel drums (Zakaria Ariffin, 1990). From time to time an additional short barrel drum, gong or serunai may be added.

A mak yong story usually takes several nights to complete. A summary of the form is given below:

Opening Night

Opening ceremony - comprises various rituals, including an opening greeting song "Sedayung Pak Yong" sung by a bomoh (Malay traditional medicine man)

Opening musical prelude - until the actresses enter the stage Entrance piece - "Pak Yong Turun", instrumental Sung pieces

1. Menghadap Rebab (dance & song to salute the rebab)
2. Sedayung Pak Yong
3. Sedayung Mak Yong
4. Song for character self introduction
5. Pecah cerita (main story begins)

Subsequent Nights

Signal piece - "Bertabuh" (beating of drums and gong)

Opening musical prelude - until the actresses enter the stage Entrance piece - "Pak Yong Turun", instrumental Sung pieces

1. Menghadap Rebab (dance & song to salute the rebab)
2. Pecah cerita (main story begins)

The complete repertoire consists of over 30 pieces. These may be divided into two main types: drummed pieces, and sung pieces. The music is made up of 3 layers of sound: the melodies, the drum rhythms, and the musical forms.