Kèn bầu

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A kèn bầu

Kèn bầu ( Vietnamese ) is a conical wind instrument with double reeds used in traditional Vietnamese music . It was the leading melody instrument in Hu hö's courtly music . In construction and sound it is similar to the Chinese suona , the Korean taepyeongso and, like the oriental surnai, belongs to the group of Asian cone oboen . There are different sizes.

Design

The instrument has a conical body made of hardwood with seven finger holes, one of which is a thumb hole on the underside. Unlike its Chinese and Korean counterparts, the kèn bầu has a detachable bell made of jackfruit wood carved in the shape of a pumpkin (it may have been originally made from dried pumpkin, then from the more durable wood). A small brass tube is placed on the upper end, to which a small double reed is attached.

etymology

Kèn means wind instrument and bầu means pumpkin, which refers to the bell made from a calabash . Similarly, the Vietnamese monochord zither is called đàn bầu , which was also originally made with a pumpkin.

Style of play

The playing style of the instrument includes the use of circular breathing and a wide range of ornaments, as well as a wide vibrato and glissando .

One of the most important kèn bầu players is Trần Thảo. He leads the ensemble Nhã nhạc (Royal Music) of Huế and has performed internationally. Even his ancestors were court musicians.

Web links

Commons : Kèn bầu  - collection of images, videos and audio files