Khloy Thom

A khloy ( km, ខ្លុយ, Burmese: ပုလွေ, ) is an ancient traditional bamboo flute from Cambodia and more specifically the Khmer people. The khloy and other similar bamboo flutes can be found throughout Asia, due to bamboo’s abundance in the region. The khloy is a duct flute and has two sizes: smaller, higher-pitched (''khloy ek'') and larger, lower-pitched (''khloy thomm''). It has six finger holes and a thumb hole, or seven finger holes and no thumb hole. A hole above the highest finger hole may be covered with a membrane made of rice paper or bamboo inner skin, similar to '' di mo''.

The Cambodian khloy is often mistaken for its close relative of Thailand, the klui flute, however Khmer ''khloy'' is aged older. Unlike the klui flute, the khloy is generally played solo in an informal setting. The khloy is mostly played using the pentatonic scale.

Etymology

''Khloy'' or ''khluy'' is a Khmer word for flute. The word ''kluy'' appears on a pedestal at Kuk Prasat temple dated to 994 AD. The term ''kluy'' later transmitted into modern Khmer word ''khluy'' or ''khloy''. Whereas, the term venu ( Sanskrit: flute) was inscribed on a 9th century foundation stele at Preah Ko temple.

History

The earliest depiction of flute in Cambodia were seen on two lintels from Sambor Prey Kuk temple, dated to 7th century. This musical instrument was also carved on a bas relief of Phnom Bakheng from late 9th to 10th century.

See also

* Music of Cambodia
* Bamboo musical instruments

References

External links

Photo of Khloy
*
The Flute Player
'

YouTube

Bamboo flutes
Cambodian musical instruments
Internal fipple flutes

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