Ploy (musical instrument)

A Cambodian ploy or a regional equivalent.

The ploy (Khmer: ព្លយខ្មែរ) is a Cambodian wind instrument.[1] It is constructed of a gourd body with 5 to 7 bamboo tubes protruding from the body, and a bamboo pipe set at a right angle to the gourd.[1] Musicians blow air in through the bamboo tube, which fills the gourd "wind chest" and exits through the other bamboo tubes.[1][2] Each of the bamboo sound-tubes has a metal rod inside, that vibrate in the air passing through the tube.[1]

As well as blowing air out of the instrument, the musician can also suck air in, producing a different tone.[1] Notes are produced by covering and uncovering holes cut into the bamboo sound-tubes.[1]

The instrument is primarily rural, found mainly Mondulkiri Province among the Phnoung and Tampuan peoples.[1] The instrument may be related to a Laotian instrument, the caen.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Khean, Yun; Dorivan, Keo; Lina, Y; Lenna, Mao. Traditional Musical Instruments of Cambodia (PDF). Kingdom of Cambodia: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. p. 141.
  2. ^ Sachs, Curt (1940). The History of Musical Instruments. New York: W. W. Norton & Company. pp. 182-183.