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KHIM TUCH
Description
The
Khim Tuch is a tuned percussion instrument originally
used in “Bassac”* music. It is still extremely popular
amongst the Cambodian people today.
The
Khim Tuch (small Khim) can be found in many of the music
ensembles or orchestras, (Such as “Mohowrri” and
“Aye-aye,”) along with other instruments such as the
“Tro Sau”, “Tro Ou”, “Takhe”, “Kloy”, “Skor
Dai” and “Ching”.
The
Khim Tuch is shaped like a butterfly and is made of
hardwood, “Phdeak” or “Kor Ki”. The sound board and the
back wall are made from “Spoung” wood. There are four
main rows of frets, two on the right and two on the
left, both rows on the left are played, but only one is
played on the right.
Traditionally there were seven beating points between
the fret rows. Now, however, they have been extended to
eight or ten beating points making the tuning process
much easier.
The
front part of the Khim Tuch is 65 cm long and the back
part 39 cm long and 25 cm wide. Within the sound box,
there is a wooden frame making the structure stronger,
with the tuning pegs around the edges made of metal
keeping the string pitch at a high level.
The
instrument is played with a two very flexable bamboo
mallets, the hammer-shaped end made from the joint of
the bamboo. The frets are made of ivory or bone
according to availability, and the strings are of spun
metal fibres and copper.
The
Khim Tuch is always tuned to the “Roneat ek” (
percussion instrument) or other instruments already
tuned to the Roneat.
note: click on the
sound link to listen to the sound of the instrument.
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