The skor yeam (guard drum) also known as the skor pheary, skor chey (successful drum) and skor torb (soldier drum) is a Cambodian bass drum, similar in shape to the skor samphor, but much larger.[1][2] The drums are ancient in origin, used originally in war to "beat command signals" or gather soldiers together.[1][2] In temples they are used to call Buddhists together or announce ceremonies.[2] Where the samphor is hand-played, the skor yeam is played with a drumstick.[1] The instrument is similar in size and shape to the Thai taphon mon.
As the "skor yeam" the drum was played in Cambodian "Tom Ming" music, played at funerals.[1][2] As the skor pheary or skor peiry, the instrument was used in monasteries, much as the bells in Catholic monasteries, signaling times for prayer and religious services.[1][2]
^ abcdeKhean, Yun; Dorivan, Keo; Lina, Y; Lenna, Mao. Traditional Musical Instruments of Cambodia(PDF). Kingdom of Cambodia: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. p. 243.
^ abcdeVanna, Ly (September 2002). "Cambodian Percussion". leisurecambodia.com. Retrieved 20 June 2019. [tabloid; volume 2, number 9]