Kyam has three strings and made of wood, specifically Padauck, Taungmin-ae, and Htoun wood. Silk string or nylon string are constructed, and sometimes leather either. In the year 802 AD, the Crocodile zither was part of a musical exchange program with China. Michael Sign from the East India Company who visited King Bodawpaya in 1795, wrote about it in his book.

There are two types of Crocodile Zither: one is played with fingers, and another is with a pick (plectrum). Gyam is played by plucking the strings with the right hand, and use the left hand for stopping the strings (pressing them down on the frets) to alter the notes. The lowest (first) and highest (third) strings are tuned to the fourth note like ‘do’ to ‘fa’ in a scale. The middle (second) string is tuned to the first note like ‘do’.

Its size has about 68 inches long (over five and a half feet). It has 8.5 inches wide, 10.5 inches high, and 17.5 inches around (circumference). In short, the traditional Mon musical instrument called Gyam, shaped like a crocodile, which is made of wood with three strings, as well as played by plucking.