Kèn (musical instrument)

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For other uses, see Ken.

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 Persian/Indian shehnai.

The best-known player of the kèn is perhaps Nguyen Ngoc Khanh (b. 1956), a.k.a. "Khanh of the kèn."

[edit] Varieties

  • Kèn bầu - with a wooden bell carved in a gourd shape; comes in several sizes
  • Kèn đám ma - with a metal bell; used for funerals in northern Vietnam
v • d • e
Double reed instruments (also includes those with quadruple and sextuple reeds; does not include bagpipes)
European classical (modern)
European classical (historical)
African traditional
Asian traditional
Balaban • Duduk • Guan • Gyaling • Hichiriki • Hne • Kèn bầu • Kèn đám ma • Kuzhal • Mey • Mizmar • Nadaswaram • Pi • Piri • Shehnai • Sorna • Sralai • Suona • Taepyeongso • Zurna
European traditional
Aulos • Bifora • Birbynė • Bombarde • Catalan shawm • Dulzaina • Musette • Piffero • Salmiej • Sopila • Tárogató • Zurla
North American traditional
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