Chiff and Fipple Forums

Hello!
I don't know if this is the right sub-group--seems the Free Reeds group is more about occidental instruments. I play Western free reeds--chromatic and diatonic harmonica, I also play Asian free reed instruments. I am finding my 24 pipe traditional sheng (keyed in D) is actually surprisingly well suited for Celtic music. I can play two full octaves of D, two of G and nearly two of A major. That's enough for more music than I can possibly ever learn. It's also surprisingly well suited for early American fife and fiddle music. I don't play fiddle, but I do play a little fife (and whistle). Anyway, just on the off chance that anyone is here squawking a sheng on some jigs..

Hi Reed Mouf, welcome. (Is "mouf" French Verlan? ).

There are several vids on YouTube of people playing Irish tunes on the khaen - which is the Laotian analogue of the Chinese sheng.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkOP3m ... w_MYqnqPVA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVv4Z_mYi38
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C6d_xTBSaI

There's also been at least one past discussion here on the board, with more links:

viewtopic.php?style=1&f=17&t=68802

As to whether it's suited ... well, that's in the ear of the beholder. But as with many instruments - traditional, occidental, oriental or otherwise - there's no technical or melodic reason that they can't be applied outside their original sphere. And a sheng is definitely a conversation starter.

MTguru,
Thanks for those links - I only followed the first one - I didn't know that instrument. I was blown away hearing reels and jigs played that way. Close your eyes and it sounds like a whole band playing.