Khaen pet
or Mouth organ, Laos flute (unisonoric, diatonisch)
(Collection Oriwohl) Video (youtube, 21MB)
Range: A-e2 at diatonic pitch (five-note row),
Length: 84cm
The Khaen - the national instrument of the Lao in Laos. A melodic instrument with resounding tongues known for over 3.000 years. 'Pet' means 'eight' and indicates the number of rows of pipes in the name.
Free reeds, which was only used in Europe at the end of the 18th century, has been in use in Asia for several thousand years.
The wind chamber carved out of wood, which also serves as a sound box.
A tone is produced by the reeds inside and the column of air vibrating in the bamboo tubes. and the air column vibrating in the bamboo tubes.
The mouthpiece
Inside are metal reeds that produce a tone in both wind directions (inhalation and exhalation).
The playing posture of the instrument is demonstrated on a banknote of the National Bank of Laos (1975).
The Khaen is still widely used today.
