Khaen

The Khaen is a member of the free reeds and interruptive aerophones (Hornbostel–Sachs 412.132). It originates from Laos. Learn how it makes its sound and explore related instruments.

How the Khaen makes its sound

In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the Khaen belongs to the free reeds and interruptive aerophones: air is periodically interrupted by a vibrating reed or blade – the accordion, harmonica, sheng and bullroarer.

More broadly it is one of the aerophones (wind instruments), where sound comes from vibrating air.

Press play above and watch the spectrum: the evenly spaced peaks are harmonics, and their relative strength is what gives the instrument its character.

From Wikipedia

The khaen is a Lao mouth organ whose pipes, which are usually made of bamboo, are connected with a small, hollowed-out hardwood reservoir into which air is blown. The khaen is the national instrument of Laos. Khaen music is an integral part of Lao life that promotes family and social cohesion and it was inscribed in 2017 on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is used among the ethnic Lao Isan and some Tai ethnic groups such as Tai Dam in north Vietnam and Lao population of the province of Stung Treng and is used in lakhon ken, a Cambodian dance drama genre that features the khaen as the main instrument In Vietnam, this instrument is used among the Tai peoples and the Muong people.