Lark in the Morning

Pi Chum, Reed Pipe from Northern Thailand

Name: Pi Chum, Reed Pipe from Northern Thailand
Brand: Lark in the Morning
SKU: WIN257
Price: 129.0 USD
Availability: InStock

SKU:WIN257

$129.00

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Pi Chum (ปี่จุม) is a type of wind instrument from Northern Thailand (Lanna region). "Pi" flute and “Chum” in the Lanna language means “gathering” or “assembly.” Therefore, Pi Chum literally means “a group of flutes played together.” These are sold as a single set of 3 pipes.

The set is made from a single bamboo stalk (ruak bamboo), which is cut into several pieces of varying lengths — from short (tip of the bamboo) to long (base of the stalk). Each flute produces a different pitch, arranged from small (high-pitched) to large (low-pitched), as follows:

Pi Koi (small)
Pi Klang (medium)
Pi Mae (large)

The largest instrument of the set is called pi mae (ปี่แม). It is 70cm long and its scale starts on the D below middle C. The next one is called pi klang (ปี่กลาง) and it sounds a fifth higher than the pi mae. And the small one is called pi koy (ปี่ก้อย) and sounds an octave above the pi mae.

The Pi Chum is commonly used to accompany traditional Lanna vocal music known as “Khap So.” It is especially popular in the provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, and Lampang.

Construction

The Pi Chum is typically made from a reddish ruak bamboo. Each set (Chum) is made from the same stalk, cut into pieces of various lengths. The bamboo is sun-dried and the internal nodes are burned through with a heated metal rod. The narrow end of each flute becomes the mouthpiece, carved into a rectangular opening to hold a reed (lin pi).

Then seven holes are drilled — unevenly spaced and not in a straight-through pattern like a recorder. Instead, the holes are angled backward toward the reed. When playing, the performer places the reed in their mouth and uses the cheeks as air reservoirs to blow continuously, similar to how Krishna’s “Murali” flute is played.

The Reed (Lin Pi)

The reed is considered the heart of the Pi Chum. It is made from copper or bronze, hammered into thin sheets — nowadays often made from 25 or 50 satang coins that are flattened and shaped. A small V-shaped slit is cut through the center. The tone quality and playability of the Pi Chum depend entirely on the reed. Only experienced, old-generation makers can produce truly fine reeds, and skilled artisans are now rare, as crafting them requires great patience and concentration.