The khaen, usually described as a mouth organ, is an ancient instrument, made from hollow cane. Fourteen pieces of cane or bamboo are used, put together in two rows, seven in each row. The longest pair is the front of the instrument, and the pipes decrease in length. A piece of hardwood is shaped into a slender, barrel shaped mouthpiece, hollowed through the centre. It is played in a manner similar to the Japanese sho, or the Chinese sheng. It is popular in northeast Thailand and Laos, as a solo instrument or to accompany folk songs. This incredible recording is of solo khaen playing at its finest.
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