Ploy (musical instrument)

The ploy is a generic term used to describe a variety of free-reed mouth organs found throughout Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. While often used interchangeably with the term khaen, and closely related in both construction and sound, the ploy typically features a smaller and simpler design, often with fewer pipes and shorter dimensions than the more complex khaen.

The ploy consists of a gourd or wooden windchest to which bamboo or other reed pipes are attached. Each pipe contains a free reed, typically made of metal, that vibrates when air is blown across it. Different notes are produced by covering holes in the pipes with the fingers, thus changing the length of the vibrating air column.

The instruments classified as ploy can vary significantly in their specific construction, tuning, and regional style. They are frequently used in folk music traditions, accompanying singing and dancing, and are often associated with rural communities. While less prominent on the international stage than the khaen, the ploy represents an important element of the diverse musical landscape of Southeast Asia. Variations exist based on region and intended musical style; some are tuned diatonically, while others are tuned to specific regional scales.