Myanmar music is completely different from western music. It is said that Myanmar music has musical timing but no harmony. So Myanmar music cannot develop into combination for it does not use harmony. To put in a nutshell, the music is to play same melody.

The basic of Myanmar music is "Se"(brass instrument that makes sounds like a triangle) and "Wa"(bamboo instrument that makes sounds like a castanets). 3/4 timing or 6/8 of western music is not used in Myanmar.

The first timing is 4/4 timing and is called Nayee Se. The second and the third timing is 2/4 timing. The second timing has some time gap. It is called Walet Se. The third timing is 8/16 timing and has no time gap. And it is called Walet Amyan. The fourth is called Sone Se. Se and Wa are played at the same time.

A	se se wa blank	or	wa se se blank
B	se wa	or	wa se
C	se wa se wa	or	se wa se wa
D	se wa se wa se wa se wa or wa se wa se wa se wa se

In combining music and singing, music is not a supporting accompaniment to singing. Both are equally and harmoniously combined. The vocalist has to keep in tune with the music and timing. The instrument player also has to keep in tune with the singing and timing. As long as the singer and instrument are in tune with each other both can create innovations within the frame of their tune.

Myanmar musicians do not use the sheets of notes when they play music. Music is simply played off-hand. Myanmar musician must be able to variety the style every time they play.

It is accepted as an axiom by Myanmar musicians that variation style in music playing the manifestation of the full capacity of musical ability.

There are some people who say that there is no precision in Myanmar music. It probably is true. It is so because of that lack of precision. Myanmar musicians can put their instruments to many variations as they like. Music is created by both musician and vocalist.

At this point, you will probably notice that it is similar to jazz. That is modern jazz. You will notice the illusion that ancient Myanmar music was developed under the influence of jazz music.

To compare Myanmar music to western music, we can notice the difference of instrument and tunes. There will be a little different fact if studies are made worldwide. For example, the harmony of each people in the world is not so universal like that. On the other hand, it is most common in Myanmar music. But in western music, it is said to be created with special effects. It might be natural to find Myanmar music is like with jazz, which is Africa origin to some extent.