kèn
The ''kèn'' () is an instrument used in traditional Vietnamese music. It has a double reed and a conical wooden body. It produces a powerful and penetrating high-pitched sound, similar to the Chinese ''suona'', the Korean ''taepyeongso'', the Th ...
, a double reed wind instrument used in the traditional music of
Vietnam
Vietnam or Viet Nam ( vi, Việt Nam, ), officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,., group="n" is a country in Southeast Asia, at the eastern edge of mainland Southeast Asia, with an area of and population of 96 million, making i ...
. It is similar in construction and sound to the Chinese ''
suona
''Suona'' (IPA: /swoʊˈnɑː/, ), also called ''dida'' (from Cantonese / '' īdá'), ''laba'' or ''haidi'', is a traditional Chinese music instrument with double-reed horn. The suona's basic design originated in ancient Iran, then called "S ...
'' and the Korean ''
taepyeongso
The ''taepyeongso'' (lit. "big peace wind instrument"; also called ''hojok'', ''hojeok'' 호적 號笛/ 胡 笛, ''nallari'', or ''saenap'', 嗩 吶) is a Korean double reed wind instrument in the shawm or oboe family, probably descended from th ...
''. It comes in various sizes and is a primary instrument of the music of the former royal court music of
Huế
Huế () is the capital of Thừa Thiên Huế province in central Vietnam and was the capital of Đàng Trong from 1738 to 1775 and of Vietnam during the Nguyễn dynasty from 1802 to 1945. The city served as the old Imperial City and admi ...
.
Construction
The instrument has a conical hardwood body with seven finger holes. Unlike its Chinese and Korean counterparts, the ''kèn bầu'' has a detachable bell made of
jackfruit
The jackfruit (''Artocarpus heterophyllus''), also known as jack tree, is a species of tree in the fig, mulberry, and breadfruit family ( Moraceae). Its origin is in the region between the Western Ghats of southern India, all of Bangladesh, ...
wood, carved in the shape of a gourd (originally it was probably made out of an actual dried gourd, but wood is more durable). Into the playing end is fitted a small brass tube onto which a small double reed is placed. This type of musical instrument are quite familiar in Asia, the Indian analogy being
Shehnai
The ''shehnai'' is a musical instrument, originating from the Indian subcontinent. It is made of wood, with a double reed at one end and a metal or wooden flared bell at the other end.
The instrument's technique involves the use of
circular breathing
Circular breathing is a technique used by players of some wind instruments to produce a continuous tone without interruption. It is accomplished by breathing through the nose while simultaneously pushing air through the mouth using air stored ...
as well as a wide variety of ornamentation including wide vibrato and sliding tones.
Etymology
''Kèn'' means
oboe
The oboe ( ) is a type of double reed woodwind instrument. Oboes are usually made of wood, but may also be made of synthetic materials, such as plastic, resin, or hybrid composites. The most common oboe plays in the treble or soprano range.
...
and ''bầu'' means
gourd
Gourds include the fruits of some flowering plant species in the family Cucurbitaceae, particularly ''Cucurbita'' and '' Lagenaria''. The term refers to a number of species and subspecies, many with hard shells, and some without. One of the ear ...
, referring to the instrument's bell. The Vietnamese monochord zither called ''
đàn bầu
The đàn bầu (; "gourd zither"; chữ Nôm: ), also called độc huyền cầm (獨絃琴, "one-string zither") is a Vietnamese stringed instrument, in the form of a monochord (one-string) zither.
History
While the earliest written records o ...
'', which also formerly had a gourd as part of its construction, shares the use of this word in its name.
Performers
One of the most prominent ''kèn bầu'' players is Trần Thảo, who leads the ''
nhã nhạc
''Nhã nhạc'' (, , "elegant music") is a traditional music of Vietnam. Vietnamese court music is very diverse, but the term ''nhã nhạc'' refers specifically to the Vietnamese court music performed from the Trần dynasty of the 13th century ...
'' (royal music) group of Hue and has toured internationally. He is part of a hereditary lineage of court musicians.