Laotian reed sounds like a fiddle!

Subject: Laotian reed sounds like a fiddle!
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Jan 05 - 05:23 PM

Rog has set up a satellite receiver in our dining room. We are watching Laotian tv right now. There is a woman sing-songing some stories while a man dances and another plays a "khen" which is their most important reed instrument. I had to come out to see it as it sounded just like fiddle music to me and I didn't believe it when Rog told me it was a reed.

Check it out: click here

Here are lots of great sound samples: click here.

enjoy,

katkonvalescing:-)

Subject: RE: Laotian reed sounds like a fiddle!
From: M.Ted
Date: 24 Jan 05 - 12:18 PM

I don't think it sounds like a fiddle--but I've heard them, live and in person--my old neighborhood in Philly had a Laotian community, complete with traditional folk performers--there was also a rock band, who played the music on electric guitars--

Subject: RE: Laotian reed sounds like a fiddle!
From: RangerSteve
Date: 24 Jan 05 - 02:47 PM

I found one a a flea market here in Jersey a few years ago. It was old and eventually fell apart, but it was fun (and easy) to play while it lasted. I don't recall that it sounded like a fiddle, but it did have a nice pleasant sound.

Subject: RE: Laotian reed sounds like a fiddle!
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Jan 05 - 06:25 PM

Well, maybe a mouth harp/fiddle combo, at least the one I saw being played on the tv show and the sound samples in my second link. Unseen, to me, it at least sounds as though there are strings and a bow! I'd love to find one at a flea market.:-)

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Laotian reed sounds like a fiddle!
From: Burke
Date: 24 Jan 05 - 06:36 PM

Sounds a bit like a hurdy/gurdy to me. I know someone who got one in Thailand. I think she was in the Peace Corps. I can understand it falling apart. Isn't it mostly just bamboo and strings to hold it together?

Subject: RE: Laotian reed sounds like a fiddle!
From: Joybell
Date: 24 Jan 05 - 07:18 PM

True-Love lived for a time in Loas. He had one made for a friend. Paid $7. He rather thinks they sound like an organ. Unearthly sound though, and very loud. It's a collection of bamboo stems, of different lengths, tied together with raffia. The mouth piece surrounds the stems and helps keep the whole thing in shape. They have reeds inside the bamboo. No strings. They're played in Southern China too. Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: Laotian reed sounds like a fiddle!
From: Teresa
Date: 25 Jan 05 - 03:42 AM

Wow, Kat, if I heard that music from another room in the house, I'd think it sounded like Appalachian or Scottish fiddle tunes. couldn't you imagine someone accompanying fiddlers with that instrument? I really like the sound of it! Of course, I love hybrids of musical types ... Tuvan with bluegrass, etc. :)

Teresa

Subject: RE: Laotian reed sounds like a fiddle!
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 25 Jan 05 - 12:31 PM

Thanks for the info and the links, kat. I enjoyed hearing it.

To me it sounds like a bombarde.