Description:
The koni or k'ni is a bowed instrument and a member of the chordophone
family unique to Vietnam. The origins of the koni are likely from a
single stringed bowed instrument called an "abrel" who is played by the
Jarai, Bahnar, Ede, Xe Dang, Pako and Hre ethnic groups. The current
form of the koni was revived by the Hanoi Conservatory of Music and is
used only by a very small number of musicians. In playing the khoni the
musician holds a metallic or plastic disc just behind their teeth, this
forms the acoustic chamber that produces the sound. The koni is held
vertically in between the left and right knees for support. Vibrato and
note bending are achieved by the tongue coming into contact and
occasionally bending the strings.Anatomy of the Khoni: The koni is made up from a hand carved wooden body, on my specimen two metal strings are attached with a screw near the bottom of the instrument. For the two strings I use the bottom B and E electric guitar strings. Two friction tuning pegs are affixed near the top of the instrument. A single thread is attached to a metal disc for resonance. The theme of the koni is ornamental in the form of a lily.