(Baonghean.vn) - The Khen be is a typical musical instrument, passed down for generations and is considered the "soul melody" of the Thai people. For the Thai people, a happy day cannot be without the sound of the Khen be.
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| The treasure of Thai ethnic musical instruments is quite rich with types of pi, khen, xi-x lo, dan tap tinh, gongs... But perhaps the most unique and attractive is the khene. With 5 different tones, the khene can express most of the ranges of human emotions, and can accompany many genres of music, from folk songs to modern songs. In the photo: Collection of Thai ethnic musical instruments of Mr. Luong Van Phong, Tan Son village, Mon Son commune (Con Cuong). |
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| The raw materials for making the Khen Be are 14 small bamboo pieces of different lengths and are joined into 7 parallel pairs to form a block. In the photo: Mr. Luong Van Phong is making the Khen Be. |
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| This bamboo block is connected together by a wooden gourd. On these bamboo pieces, artisans create ventilation holes and attach copper slats. |
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| Son of the late folk artist Vi Dinh Cong, Vi Thanh Hai in Chan village, Thach Giam commune (Tuong Duong) is following in his father's footsteps in making panpipes. The panpipes he makes are being ordered by Thai people from villages near and far. |
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| The Khen be requires the user to be truly skillful, delicate and emotional, in other words, to have the soul of an artist. Those who are good at making and using the Khen be are considered artisans by the locals. In the photo: Artisan Vang Van Phung, Phong village, Thach Giam commune (Tuong Duong) with a Khen be. |
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| The Khen Be is a versatile instrument, but it is most effective when accompanying Thai folk songs (khap, lam, nhuon, xuoi). In the photo: Mr. Vi Thanh Hai accompanies his wife to perform a Khap tune. |
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| Every time he finishes making a satisfactory panpipe, Mr. Vi Thanh Hai often invites experienced elders in the village to come test the sound and enjoy the smooth, gentle melodies. |
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| Together with gongs, cymbals and various types of panpipes, the panpipe creates a bustling, exciting harmony, expressing the optimism, love of life and solidarity of the Thai ethnic community. |
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| For most Thai ethnic villages, festivals and happy days cannot lack the melodious sound of the panpipe, because that is the "soul melody" of the nation. |
Cong Kien
