Types of Khaen   Khaen Eight  
 

There are different types of Khaen. Khaen SIX made of six bamboo tubes. Khaen Six is for the use of children or for decoration, as it does not have full scale of notes according to the solfege. It has only five notes si, do, re, fa, sol. Khaen SEVEN is made of 14 bamboo tubes in 7 pairs and has low to high notes: do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si. Khaen Seven is commonly used to play Lao traditional songs as well as accompanying folk singers. Most importantly and attractively Khaen Seven can be played in groups forming a symphony of Khaen players. Khaen EIGHT is made of 16 bamboo in 8 pairs. The 7 pair is similar to Khaen Seven plus one pair that has the sound of do and re. This Khaen Eight is mostly played to accompany folk singers and other types of singing. Khaen Nine is the biggest and the longest of the series. It is made of 18 bamboo and can be as long as 250 cm. Besides the usual eight pairs of notes, Khaen Nine has in addition do and re high.

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More Information About Khaen

How to test a Khaen:

  • A good khaen needs minimum air pressure which means you don’t have to blow hard to make a sound (note)

  • One note should sound the same with the air in or out (inhaling or exhaling through one's mouth) 

  • All notes should have the same level of loudness if the player uses the same blowing force. 

  • Leave all holes open and inhale or exhale through your mouth softly. The khaen should not make sound (note) 

  • Its body should be in a good shape. There should be no cracks. (a small crack on the pipe can be fixed with good glue or tape)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Watch Lum Mahaxay:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzlC2jSg4GQ

  

The Old Town Singers, from the US, and Lao musicians

in Vientiane

Taking care of your Khaen:

  • Keep it in a box or at least a bag to protect it from dust and small insects. This is the most important because dust or small insects could get into your mouth when you inhale. Dust or small insects might also affect its sound quality. 

  • Do not lay it down for a long period of time. It should be kept in vertical position. 

  • Play it every day about 10-15 minutes or longer. It needs air flow through its pipes. 

  • Good temperature to keep a Khaen: 15-25 degree Celsius.

 

 
     

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