Hmong Raj Nplaim

Ger Xiong (Tooj Ntxawg Xyooj) performs on the raj hliav ncauj in a clip from "Speaking Musically," a 2001 documentary about traditional Hmong music.

The raj hliav ncauj is a flute similar in design to a recorder. Other names for similar instruments include: raj ntsia and raj pum liv. Some people use the words interchangeably, while other use only one or two of the terms.

In this performance, Ger plays in a variety styles and scales or what are called suab. With the exception of opening and concluding melodic formulas, the pitches of the melody communicate words. For the most part, one equals one word (Hmong is basically a monosyllabic language). The shape and rhythm of the melody follows the word tones and rhythm of the words Ger is saying through the instrument.

The words in this performance are based on typical expressions of loss and loneliness common to a variety of Hmong verbal arts. Ger combines these phrases extemporaneously, based on what he wants to say at the moment, creating long strings of ideas that flow together over the course of the performance.

Raj nplaim - Ebay

THE HMONG KHAENE (RAB QEEJ HMOOB)

All life is sound. For life is motion, and motion grows out of sound. Nature itself is full of sound, full of music. But the most remarkable things in life are not always easy to define - love, sadness, joy, imagination - like the Spirit of the Qeej. The qeej or khaene (pronounced roughly 'kling' and spelled qeej transliterated Hmong) is the most famous instrument in the Hmong culture. No other instrument in the world speaks like the qeej. It warms each heart and soothes each sadness; it leads the way when one seems lost. To study its uses takes a season, but to understand its meanings takes generations. At first, I thought I would not be able to find enough information about the qeej to write my eight- to ten-page paper. I was thinking too shallow. I realize I cannot fit something that takes generations to understand onto even a thousand pages! The qeej has many functions in the Hmong culture. It is played during the New Year festivals, funeral ceremonies and other special occasions. The major dialects of the Hmong language (White, Green, and Black) are incorporated into the lyrics of the qeej. This bamboo and wooden mouth organ has been with the Hmong culture for generations. Read more - http://www.csuchico.edu

Qeej Hmong , Hmong traditonal antique musicail

Qeej Hmong , Hmong traditonal antique musicail