Khloy
The khloy (
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.[1]
The Cambodian khloy is often mistaken for its close relative of Thailand, 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.[2] Whereas, the term venu (Sanskrit: flute) was inscribed on a 9th century foundation stele at Preah Ko temple.[2]
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.[2]
See also
References
External links