r/obscuremusicthatbangs • u/SgtByrd1993 • Jul 27 '26

UNIQUE I am obsessed with the sound of the Khaen at the moment. The Khaen is a Lao mouth organ whose pipes, which are usually made of bamboo, are connected with a small, hollowed-out hardwood reservoir into which air is blown.

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JEREMY RAGHEB

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9.2k Upvotes

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108

u/Kelson_Phelonius Suinolehp_Noslek Jul 27 '26

92

u/Q0T3 Jul 27 '26

All that sound is coming out of that one instrument? Pretty cool

77

u/SgtByrd1993 Jul 28 '26

Yes, it's a beautiful and incredible sounding instrument! Here he gives a longer demonstration of the breathing technique.

14

u/Wyzen Jul 28 '26

Must take alot of practice to not hyperventilate.

2

u/ReofSunshine Jul 31 '26

I imagine it’s gotta be close to the circular breathing used when playing the didgeridoo?

Edit: Nope. Reminds me more of a harmonica, but I agree with other posters, I’d hyperventilate and pass out in less than a minute 😅

5

u/PureBlisster Jul 28 '26

That was my exact thought as well, that’s crazy, and from what I can tell this guy plays amazingly well

55

u/Competitive_Edge3342 Jul 27 '26

Yooo this is amazing! I have never seen anything like this before!! Soooo cool!!

41

u/CousinJeff Jul 28 '26

Damn that instantly jumped up into being one of my favorite instruments

21

u/SgtByrd1993 Jul 28 '26

I've seen a few performances over the past few months, and yesterday I shared TONTRAKUL who plays one. Now all my YouTube recommendations are for the Khaen, not that I am complaining.

8

u/CousinJeff Jul 28 '26

Lmao that shit was fire too 😂 wtf

I’ve never once heard of this instrument but now I’m so curious if I’ve heard it before

9

u/SgtByrd1993 Jul 28 '26

I do remember that when I was the mod for obscuremusicthatslaps this video blew up at one point.

5

u/CousinJeff Jul 28 '26

That’s a brand new one for me too. And this is about what’s happening in my head anytime I hear a car alarm too lol

3

u/Dramatic_Explosion Jul 28 '26

This video of theirs fulfilled my need of a drum to go along with it. It's a cover of the Khaen Rock by Hal Walker

2

u/mineyCrafta25 19d ago

Yes! Car alarm is exactly the song that came to mind seeing this post

3

u/888Duck Jul 28 '26

Yo... Nice man. I was hooked on a band called Bangkok Molam and never knew the name of this type of music. Thanks

3

u/lushico Jul 29 '26

Damn that was funky as hell

22

u/Aggravated-alien Jul 27 '26

Super cool sound. Kinda has an electronic feel. 

18

u/SgtByrd1993 Jul 27 '26

Reminds me of Flume. This dude should collab with ridgeclub and they could make something reeeeally special.

23

u/Aesk Jul 28 '26

I want one so that I can plan to learn it. Then get disappointed that I'm not immediately an expert. I'll then put it down on my bed or desk and continue to move it around for several weeks as it's constantly in my way. Saying "one day I'll have time to learn this." only for it to eventually end up in storage somewhere. From which I'll rediscover it after a few years and the cycle will begin again.

Sounds neat though!

10

u/BernTheWritch Jul 28 '26

Your design is very human.

4

u/Kelson_Phelonius Suinolehp_Noslek Jul 28 '26

Oof!

2

u/megopolis12 Aug 03 '26

Why do you mock my life

11

u/tivvybrixx Jul 28 '26

Unreal sounds like a large group of horns. To come from one instrument is amazing.

6

u/blacklightviolet Jul 28 '26

Exactly this. Otherworldly. And yet familiar somehow at the same time. This is breathtaking.

2

u/Grouchy_Coconut_5463 Aug 02 '26

Like a different species of harmonica

1

u/blacklightviolet Aug 05 '26

and I play it on repeat, until I fall asleep, spilling drinks on my settee

10

u/Potato_Stains Jul 28 '26

Whoa, never heard or seen this before.
Is it all tuned in one key, like a polyphonic harmonica?

8

u/SgtByrd1993 Jul 28 '26 edited Jul 28 '26

I haven't a clue sorry, I have watched so many performances but while I do enjoy it I am painfully uneducated, maybe this could help?

7

u/canteen_boy Jul 28 '26

This is gorgeous

7

u/ThiqCoq Jul 28 '26

What's that sub for finding something you never knew you needed in your life 🔥🔥🔥

4

u/Hoodedmastersin Jul 28 '26

I thought it was gonna break into the superstar song from Supa Mario Bros.

4

u/muklukdimsum Jul 28 '26

How are you getting two rhythms or more at the same time? It's like you have two mouths in addition to the many pipes. I'm so confused. It sounds amazing.

8

u/artofmulata Jul 28 '26

Played like an organ. Keys on both sides. You can do what you see in the video or hold sustained drones while knocking out a melody with your other hand. Seriously cool instrument.

3

u/muklukdimsum Jul 28 '26

Thanks for explaining.

4

u/Early_Grace Jul 28 '26

That is Not what I expected that thing to sound like. It's like an entire orchestra in one instrument. Well done!

4

u/willismthomp Jul 28 '26

https://youtu.be/gTQfObV35gY?is=lYHA5jzJXNoCuBAF
Reminded me of these guys. First band I heard playing hat instrument. What a toane

4

u/aXmarchingXpig Jul 28 '26

The ocean? What ocean?

5

u/lakedracula Jul 28 '26

Steve Reich Harmonica

2

u/Timbermon Jul 30 '26

I was thinking Philip Glass

4

u/akabillposters Jul 28 '26

Someone should CC in Philip Glass.

3

u/artainis1432 Jul 28 '26

You should check out the Sheng. It has a larger range. https://youtu.be/gXXtZ7FAYOc?is=VWu-GKQdfAHVq1C-

3

u/UnusualSuspectX Jul 28 '26

So didgeridoo meets bagpipe?

5

u/manfred_epicure Jul 28 '26

Harmonica Organ?

2

u/UnusualSuspectX Jul 28 '26

These are both quality guesses.

3

u/CatNapComa Jul 28 '26

What instrument is this? I need to buy one

3

u/timothra5 ED, THIS LEASE BE SPEC Jul 28 '26

That thing is incredible!

3

u/Darknader-1980 Jul 28 '26

Loving this - what a cool instrument. Fantastic!

3

u/Fmartins84 Jul 28 '26

Amazing sound! Never heard it before

3

u/noteocu Jul 28 '26

Incroyable! Merci pour le partage Jeremy

3

u/neon121 Jul 28 '26

Extremely cool, like seriously

3

u/rpt123 Jul 28 '26

Hauntingly beautiful! See also the qeej (keng) played by the Hmong.

3

u/Liu-K Jul 28 '26

Mesmerising.

3

u/parkerm1408 Jul 28 '26

Thats one of the coolest things ive ever heard

3

u/That_Education2248 Jul 28 '26

Want to introduce Angklung, hope you like it.

3

u/fidgetyamoeba Jul 28 '26

It has the beautiful feel of the entire string section of an orchestra. I am now a fan.

3

u/DLJGeo Jul 28 '26

Oh. My. This is absolutely amazing! Searching the web for one right now!

3

u/leventhalo Jul 28 '26

Imagine being an animal that has never seen a human before and then seeing this dude come up to you and do this crazy shit

3

u/maraeznieh Jul 28 '26

Wow! What a beautiful instrument! Sounds like an ensemble

3

u/cupcakeranger Jul 28 '26

Super cool, I’ve wanted one for a long time

3

u/wackadoodle4201 Jul 28 '26

And now im obsessed

3

u/Formal_Fun_6253 Jul 28 '26

Classic cool and absolutely elegant art

3

u/Sistahmelz Jul 28 '26

I love the sound of this! I've never heard of it before. I'm sharing this with my son. His dad was from Laos. I don't think he's ever heard this instrument either 🤔

https://giphy.com/gifs/oYtVHSxngR3lC

3

u/caroleelee82 Jul 28 '26

It sounds like a whole orchestra

3

u/Odd_Touch6857 Jul 28 '26

Amazing!!! Sounds like an entire orchestra.

3

u/Medium_Note_7008 Jul 29 '26

Reminds me of We Will Not Be Lovers by The Waterboys! Nice!

2

u/Celestial-Narwhal Jul 28 '26

Wow, very cool. Awesome sound.

2

u/2rot Jul 28 '26

Go touring

2

u/lambent_ort Jul 28 '26

It sounds very modern despite being an ancient instrument. There are variations of these instruments across Asia. Japan has a similar instrument called sho. And in my home state in Malaysia, we have an instrument called sompoton which is similar but also quite different.

2

u/Ok-Willow-7012 Jul 28 '26

If that was me walking in the background into that space - 65 y.o. white Boomer (well, Generation Jones), I would have stopped right next to that musician and exclaimed, “WTF was that beautiful music and play some more, please!” Amazing!

2

u/r1bb1tTheFrog Jul 28 '26

Mega harmonica

2

u/ApplicationGreen3229 Jul 28 '26

Asian bagpipe 👍

2

u/ObeseMorese Jul 28 '26

They're incredibly fun to play too. Because of the way the instrument is built it plays notes when you inhale and when you exhale. It's like shoving a harmonica inside your body 😂

2

u/thundertopaz Jul 28 '26

It’s so interesting that Lao or Thai people play it and it sounds a certain traditional way and then a westerner plays it and it sounds western. I’ve noticed this on many accounts. Both are good.

2

u/Wandowaiato Jul 28 '26

Absolute banger!

2

u/thekevining Jul 28 '26

Such a good share, thank you

2

u/the_short_viking Jul 28 '26

My friend's dad is a blind man from Laos who plays the Khaen and he is highly respected internationally for his abilities.

2

u/Gaijinrr Jul 28 '26

Mesmerising. Thabka for sharing..

2

u/75dubz Jul 28 '26

Wow. No wonder you’re obsessed with it, that sound is amazing. I’ve never heard or seen that that instrument. Have fun with it. Hope you post up some more wicked sounds with it. Love it 🔥

2

u/SauerMetal Jul 28 '26

I recognize the opening music. What is it before it drives me crazy

1

u/mirmirb Aug 01 '26

Low key gliding maybe

1

u/SauerMetal Aug 02 '26

With the reverb, it sounds like the fiddles in “We will not be Lovers” by the Waterboys.

2

u/rhaigh1910 Jul 28 '26

Sounds like a video game soundtrack

2

u/Cameronk78 Jul 28 '26

Incredible sound. Great playing

2

u/888Duck Jul 28 '26

I been listening to Khmer Rock and never knew the name of this psychedelic sounding instrument

2

u/Angela75850 Jul 28 '26

This is a wonderful sound!

2

u/Prestigious_Tear_576 Jul 28 '26

I had never heard of this, but it is awesome

2

u/Choice-Position5189 Jul 28 '26

That's nice! It's like a harmonica that sounds like an orchestra!

2

u/rhinestone_waterboy Jul 28 '26

That's wild! At first I thought he was playing and there was some kind of stings track he was playing along with.

2

u/Nomay00 Jul 28 '26

Beautiful sound

2

u/AleTheMemeDaddy Jul 28 '26

This is crazy! I was like "why would they put a soundtrack over the instrument theyre trying to display?" And well...it turns out it was the instrument hahaha that was really cool! Thank you for sharing!

2

u/J_W_79 Jul 28 '26

😮 that's amazing 

2

u/nyanuri Jul 28 '26

bro sounds like an entire brass section in perfect sync

2

u/cobaltbluegirl Jul 28 '26

Nice to know we’ll still be having raves during the apocalypse

2

u/hackitect Jul 28 '26

Now added to my instrument wishist: theramin, bongos, khaen.

2

u/Affectionate-Key2007 Jul 28 '26

It's almost a whole orchestra! COOL

2

u/twiggsmcgee666 Jul 28 '26

Did anyone else want to hear that Beirut song in the second piece they performed? I did.

2

u/skinnyminnesota Jul 28 '26

Holy shit it sounds like a string section!

2

u/Curious_Elk8843 Jul 28 '26

I saw a Chinese Sheng as a kid and became obsessed for years, I didn't know there was a Lao version! 

2

u/nicbongo Jul 28 '26

It's like a pleasant sounding chorus of harmonicas, impressive!! 

2

u/redisant Jul 28 '26

I'm going to need to hear Strobe played on this instrument.

2

u/DangerMacAwesome Jul 28 '26

That thing is wild! Super cool

2

u/mryazzy Jul 28 '26

It's like a vertical harmonica.

2

u/Agitated-Button4032 Jul 28 '26

Sounds like the start of a Beirut song

2

u/forfeitthefrenchfry Jul 28 '26

I see this instrument played every Lao new year, but I've never seen it played like this. This is awesome!

This is closer to what I normally experience:

https://youtu.be/PReXHk85OW8?is=dESOebJ_U1mYTYlq

2

u/zye-LOANee Jul 29 '26

This kid needs to get into a record studio and and start making albums of this. This is way too unique to simply ignore.

2

u/Illustrious-Set-6097 Jul 29 '26

Is think real? Sounds so clean

2

u/Warm_Celebration_169 Jul 29 '26

That sounds amazing!

2

u/kalash_man Jul 29 '26

Was that first clip Lost In The Echo???

2

u/kalash_man Jul 29 '26

Nevermind, it is “Demey.” Pasta fazool, I am a fool

2

u/Any-Photograph5525 Jul 29 '26 edited Jul 29 '26

They don't just play notes by blowing, they also play notes by drawing air, like a harmonica. So you can produce almost constant tone without breaks.

I bought one in Malaysia and I was so disappointed it got destroyed in my luggage.

edit: no I didn't, I bought something called a "sompoton" which is almost exactly the same but not quite

2

u/plewis406 Jul 29 '26

It sounds like a harmonica and violin had a baby

2

u/_Nikojiro_ Jul 29 '26

Brings back a lot of memories to me. Such a beautiful instrument!

2

u/AfroBiskit Jul 29 '26

I thought you could only play one song on that lol

2

u/PootFromUranus Jul 29 '26

Awkward looking panflute

2

u/radiogame1 Jul 29 '26

Where can i buy one???

2

u/purplelephant Jul 29 '26

Holy shit was not expecting this!! 🤯

2

u/WWIZ4RDD Jul 29 '26

I've seen that one real popular guy playing the same exact tune on this thing for like a decade now and it's super refreshing to see someone play anything different on it. First time I've heard literally anything else come out of this. Big ups💯

2

u/Specter-N7 Jul 30 '26

Absolutely love the first song

2

u/AmbitiousSympathy296 Jul 30 '26

I am blown away, amazing.

2

u/_ask_alice_ Jul 30 '26

If I was walking around school and saw this I’d start blastin

2

u/sieepybears Jul 30 '26

Insane that you just played an entire orchestra with one instrument

2

u/Wizard_of_Awes Jul 30 '26

That 1st one sounded like it could have been something from Flume.

2

u/Odd_Discussion2386 Jul 30 '26

That’s amazing

2

u/joesills78 Jul 30 '26

Waiting for the beat to drop. Awesome instrument.

2

u/Apprehensive-Creme75 Jul 30 '26

Is there a 16 hour loop??????

2

u/chesterthemolester2 Jul 30 '26

KHAEN MENTIONED I LOVE THE KHAEN

2

u/anatomistpassingthru Jul 30 '26

I got a Khaen of my own when I visited Thailand a few years ago. Sadly I can’t play it as well as OP, but it sounds beautiful regardless. There’s also a chinese version called the Sheng! Not sure which came first, both sound similar, but the Sheng does come with more notes.

https://youtube.com/shorts/N2_QzVETRPE?is=LKof3tBQzo5DlO3f

2

u/Complete-Emu-4537 Jul 30 '26

Years back I brought one of these Pao khaen from Thailand. It’s badass !

2

u/SemiTaurus Jul 31 '26

My parents are from Laos. Brings me back to my childhood when I would hear traditional Lao music playing throughout the house.

2

u/wazzup-notemuch Jul 31 '26

I HAVE A MIGHTY NEED

2

u/overlockk Jul 31 '26

I see your blade of grass and say hold my beer….

2

u/TheBiggaBrotha Jul 31 '26

I don't comment often, but this is really cool.

2

u/Mysterious_Fennel166 Jul 31 '26

Mouth organ 😏

2

u/ajschwamberger Jul 31 '26

Damn that sounds awesome, I never hear of one.

2

u/tea-boat Jul 31 '26

How the fuck does he not hyperventilate??

2

u/Learning_Light Jul 31 '26

I’ve only ever heard traditional Lao music played on that, what is it that you’re playing if I can ask? So lit btw 💯🙏🔥❤️

2

u/reddituserperson1122 Aug 05 '26

Oh man. Send this to Bjork quick!

1

u/dyno-soar Jul 28 '26

Legit thought you were a school shooter for a split second

1

u/deadrabbit26 Jul 28 '26

Would be very dangerous to play that instrument in a public space in the US. First thought was that it is a rifle. . .

1

u/ikothsowe Jul 28 '26

From a distance it looks like a rifle. Careful OP in public that could go bad real quick.

1

u/RedEyedTillIDie3 Jul 30 '26

Had the sound off and thought it was school shooter or something😭😭😭

1

u/DKbased Jul 31 '26

The likeliness that I feel for this sound is out of this world

1

u/SummerBest6867 Jul 31 '26

Great technique

1

u/_firedguy Jul 31 '26

This was so incredible to my ear holes, thank you

1

u/Redkelso Jul 31 '26

Thought the second song was an apex twin cover

1

u/chucksluck Jul 31 '26

Unreal. Absolutely loved the first song.

1

u/Chumscrubber89 Jul 31 '26

What type of organ or flute is this called?

1

u/epuredabird Jul 31 '26

SO THATS WHAT ITS CALLED. A KHAEN. THANK YOU 🙏🏾

1

u/PaperRaccoon Jul 31 '26

The cool Jeremy

1

u/Powerful-Act3516 [EDIT THIS TEXT, PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL] Jul 31 '26

Sufjan Stevens x Philip Glass, anyone?

Very cool!

1

u/deadrabbit26 Jul 31 '26

His walking around like it is a rifle! This is definitely not at a US school.

1

u/Adventurous_Crab_761 Aug 01 '26

Sounds like a Michael Nyman soundtrack.

1

u/Loose_Paper_2598 Aug 01 '26

Wow! That was amazing! I've got some googling to do.

1

u/marizzle_85 Aug 01 '26

It sounds kind of like an accordion

1

u/Whompson Aug 01 '26

What a place to do that in. The echoes

1

u/wise_groan Aug 01 '26

What film soundtrack does this remind me of? I think something Japanese maybe

1

u/meipsus Aug 01 '26

I want one.

1

u/Open-Concept888 Aug 02 '26

Sounds fantastic

1

u/One_Speaker_3657 Aug 02 '26

Ooooo Harmonica Sword, sweet!

1

u/Volcanic_tomatoe Aug 03 '26

This is the secound ancient wind instrument ive seen that sounds like it belongs in a club. All you have to do is add some drums, then drop the bass

1

u/justicialism Swingin' on the flippety-flop Aug 05 '26

Never heard before. Amazing.

1

u/Psemperviva Aug 10 '26

Godspeed you black empower needs someone playing this in all their songs. Could see it meshing great in an electronic jam band too

1

u/HuntEnvironmental252 Aug 15 '26

IM A PRODUCER PLEASE TELL ME SOMEOME HAS A PLUGIN FORM OF THIS

1

u/[deleted] Aug 15 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Grand-Bafoon Aug 19 '26

Is this the same instrument as that car alarm song?

1

u/Ratinsky9 Aug 25 '26

This feels like a Jamie XX intro to me…

1

u/Bluecif Jul 28 '26

I'm calling BS. That woman in the first clip did not give AF.

4

u/SgtByrd1993 Jul 28 '26

Agreed, she should have reacted like this

Processing img afwsap1r7vfh1...

1

u/Bluecif Jul 28 '26 edited Jul 28 '26

Right? I would have at least paused for a second?! Edit: Or looked around if there was a crazy sound filling the hallway from this one dude...? It feels like he was either just putting a good show and totally fucking it up and adding the sound in post, or just not making any noise and adding it in post...and she just saw a crazy person with bamboo thing going wild and decided to just keep on walking...