THE KHENE
LAO NATIONAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT AND ITS ROLE IN LAO CULTURE
Edited from the original article by Viliam Phraxayavong
(Source: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~lao/laostudy/khene.htm and
http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/)

A mouth pipe organ, consisting of around fourteen bamboo tubes above a mouthpiece, the Khene can be played solo as in traditional Lao music or in combination with other musical instruments to accompany modern songs. The Khene can also be performed in a full "Khene Orchestra".
Usually, however, it is more popular in rural areas and is commonly used to accompany folk singers or drama actors. Today, the sound of Khene is not only heard in Laos and Northeast Thailand, its traditional base, but also around the world although it has probably lost some of its impact.

The Origin and Meaning of The Khene
It is said that long ago, there was a Lao widow who liked to imitate the birds' songs. As expert in sound imitations, she finally succeeded with this bamboo instrument whichshe could blow into and imitate the rare and unique song of the "Nok Karavek" sparrow. The widow offered the instrument to the governor of her district. And the governor said in Lao "Gnang Khene Dair", meaning literally "this is much better", and the name KHENE means "BETTER".

How is The Khene Made?
Khene is made from a special kind of bamboo, similar to reed, of 5 centimetres (cm) large and 250 cm long (the length and size depends on the desired levels of sounds). The Khene maker would use a small steel rod to pierce a hole in the knots inside the bamboo, then cuts an
incision of 10 cm about 2/3 of the length of the bamboo, with a blade or a sharp knife. On this hole, a silver (or mixed silver and copper) little tongue with a triangular cut in the middle is be placed: the size of the triangular cut determine the melody level. The Khene maker will then
make a small round hole a the side of the bamboo tubes in such a way that when all the pipes are assembled through a timber console, these round holes would allow the fingers of the Khene player to block or unblock them to vary the sounds.

Types of Khene
There are different types of Khene. Khene SIX made of six bamboo tubes. Khene 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. Khene SEVEN is made of 14 bamboo tubes in 7 pairs and has low to high notes: do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si. Khene Seven is commonly used to play Lao traditional songs as well as accompanying folk singers. Most importantly and attractively Khene Seven can be played in groups forming a symphony of Khene players. Khene EIGHT is made of 16 bamboo in 8 pairs. The 7 pair is similar to Khene Seven plus one pair that has the sound of do and re. This Khene Eight is mostly played to
accompany folk singers and other types of singing. Khene 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, Khene Nine has in addition do and re high.

The Many Uses of the Khene
The Khene can be played solo as in traditional Lao music or in combination with other musical instruments to accompany modern songs. The Khene can also be performed in a full "Khene Orchestra". Usually, however, it is more popular in rural areas and is commonly used to accompany
folk singers or drama actors. French Catholic missionaries liked to travel around the country for trading or helping in community activities in the nearby villages, entertaining each other through folk singing and playing the Khene.

Since 1975 revolution, the sound of the Khene, traditionally used for love and courtship, has also been an instrument to help mobilize the people into communal work for the benefit of the nation. Since the recent opening up of the country to the free market economy, the Khene has assumed its traditional role as a national musical instrument of love and courtship.

THE KHENE AND MOLAM AMONG REFUGEES OUTSIDE LAOS One Lao poem has stated that: "A PERSON LIVING UNDER A STILTED HOUSE, EAT STICKY RICE AND PLAY THE KHENE IS LIKELY TO BE LAO OR ASSOCIATED WITH LAO PEOPLE".

In the 14th century war, the Lao deported to Siam, thus, took along with them their rich culture and musical traditions. Many were eventually taken further south to central Thailand by Thai authorities. Wherever they went, the Lao were able to preserve their love for the Khene.

Nowadays, Lao refugees have taken with them their rich traditions, arts and music. In the new countries, they gather in community organizations to help each other or if the community is large enough they build up Buddhist temple as a rallying point to seek spiritual refuge and to celebrate important occasions with music and entertainment. The Khene again finds its way to these gatherings, and has
played a central role as part of the temple orchestra or has been used to accompany folk singers.

Additonal information on the characteristics of the instruments:
The traditional instruments of Molam (or Mor lam) are:
  - the khene: a mouth pipe organ, consisting of around fourteen bamboo tubes above a mouthpiece;
  - the phin : a lute, normally three-stringed;
  - the ching : small bells resembling cymbals;
  - the sor : a bowed string instrument;
  - panpipes; and
  - hand drums.
Most commercial artists now use at least some electric instruments, most often a keyboard set up to sound like a 1960s Farfisa-style organ; electric guitars are also common. Other western instruments are also becoming popular, such as the saxophone and the drum kit. *AJI

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