"This article details the written and oral transmission of Burmese classical songs or thachingyi (great song), specifically those for voice and harp (saung gauk). Over one thousand songs have been listed under the category of thachingyi. Their song texts have been transcribed, but their melodies and instrumentation have been transmitted orally. As the melodies of several of these songs have been lost, less than half continue to be played today. The musician reputed to have the largest repertoire can play approximately 400 songs. The majority of other musicians play a selection from the 169 songs featured in Naingandaw mu maha gita (The national version of maha gita, hereafter NAIN), the national compilation of song texts. There have been attempts to transcribe this music, however, none of these has been effective, apart from the notations of the distinguished instrumentalist, U Myint Maung (1937?2001). In this article, I will begin by examining the role of written materials in transmission. I will then describe how the music is relayed orally and discuss the factors that enable oral transmission. Finally, I will discuss how to approach the standardization of Burmese classical songs..."