Description:
The phin pya (in Thai) and kse diev (In Cambodian) it is a chordophone
and classified as a stick-zither. The phin pya is a member of the
“Veena” family of instruments. The word “pin” come from from the
Sanskrit word “veena” or bin respectively. Around eight to ten
centuries ago, distribution of the phin pya was very wide. It was found
from India to Indonesia as far as the Cham kingdom in Vietnam. Today
the phin pya is found in Northern Thailand and in neighbouring
Cambodia. In the Lanna culture men would play the pin pya to serenade
women in a romantic setting. Traditionally the phin pya is played in
ceremonies, weddings, and funerals. Murals depicting musicians
performing on the pin pya, are found in Viharn Laikam, Thailand.
Throughout Thailand and Cambodia two stringed phin pya's are common.
Compositions have been arranged for the phin pya performed by small
chamber orchestras. In the 20th century compositions for this
instrument have been written. In Thai classical orchestras the pin pya
is accompanied by the grajapbi (lute) and recently played to accompany
singing.
Playing Techniques: The phin pya is held upright in a vertical position closest to the chest. The end-tip is pointed downwards to the ground. A technique of harmonics is applied by the left hand lightly touching the string and the left hand plucking either strings. Only a few notes are played during performance and the timbre of the phin pya is very quiet.