Did you happen to hear a popular music in Khmer and realized it could be a helpful tool in learning the language? We agree that listening to music in other languages is beneficial, so let’s learn about Khmer music (or ភ្លេងខ្មែរ, phleng Khmer) to get further inspiration for your language learning.
The performing arts in Cambodia are inspired by the original indigenous tribes and all forms are culturally distinct. The music has a unique sound with most songs having a slower melody, but the faster songs will have you up and dancing!
There are two primary types of Cambodian music: modern and traditional. The word ភ្លេង (phleng) means “music,” but when coupled with “Khmer,” it represents ភ្លេងខ្មែរ, phleng Khmer, which means Cambodian traditional music. Phleng Khmer, which has three distinct subtypes which play an important role in Cambodian life.
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3 Types Of Music In Khmer
1. ពិណពាទ្យ – Pin Peat
One of the earliest groups in Khmer music is the pin peat. Wall carvings at Angkor Wat indicate that the temple’s musical band dated back at least a thousand years.
Khmer musicians perform this music at Cambodia‘s royal courts and temples. In addition, events, as varied as classical dance, a shadow play, masked play, and religious ceremonies feature the Pinpeat orchestra. And its primary focus is nearly a ten-person ensemble, wind, and percussion instruments. Pin peat music is also known as phleng skor, which means drum music, or another name is phleng laim, which means dance music. It creates prearranged drum rhythms that support a strong dynamic for the stage activity.
2. ភ្លេងការ – Phleng Kar
The Cambodian classical music style, Phleng Kar, consists of traditional songs typically performed at the wedding ceremony. The classical music style, Phleng Kar, consists of classic songs typically performed at wedding ceremonies. A seven-member ensemble plays seven different traditional instruments to provide beautiful wedding music for the ceremony. This isn’t just some mindless tune that loops endlessly without purpose. However, many sub-rituals run concurrently within the event, each with a dedicated Phleng Kar song. And it played from very early morning to the end of the wedding day.
The music at a Khmer wedding ceremony is played at a volume that most outsiders find unpleasant, but the locals happily embrace. Because, for Khmer, it’s a chance to let the bride and groom sense the happiness they’re feeling at the start of their new life together. Despite the music’s loud tone, the crowd is calm and composed. A wedding ceremony in Cambodia is a formal, emotional occasion due to the culture’s emphasis on politeness.
3. មហោរី – Mohaori
Mahori music, played in the royal courts of Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, was another type of traditional music. This musical tradition may have begun in the ninth century, well before the time of the Angkor rulers. Mohaori, however, continued to develop in popularity and influence even after the Angkorian empire had collapsed. While Pin Peat music is reserved for religious events and Phleng Kar is more like ceremonial music, Mahaori focuses on thoughts and emotions meant to uplift the soul, such as representations of beauty, amazement at nature, and expressions of love. Mohaori, a traditional Khmer music, is still regularly performed today.
In Summary
As we all know, music is more than just an instrument to an end; whether pop music, rock music, dance music, western music, and traditional music like phleng Khmer—it’s the ultimate expression of a people, their culture, and their history. So, just like Khmer Music, it has a long history since it was produced over a thousand years ago. Therefore, learning about Khmer music will provide insight into a significant element of Cambodian culture.
In addition, the unfamiliar instruments and melody will spark your interest in discovering deeper about the culture, traditions, and language. Because when you understand the locals better, you’ll later listen to their songs with a more understanding of how Khmer people express their thoughts and convince others with their beautiful music.
Learn Khmer With The Ling App
Can’t seem to get much further with your Khmer studies despite your immersion in the local music? The Khmer songs are great, but you might want to wait for a little before diving in quite yet since the tone of voice and beat of the music can make it hard to grasp the words and accents. In that case, you should look for a different method of learning.
The Ling App can help you learn Khmer from basic to advanced levels! We offer you massive resources to help you master the Khmer language daily. So that you can impress the locals with your knowledge of Khmer, you will not only learn the vocabulary for general topics in Khmer but also improve your listening skill which you can apply when listening to Khmer music. Because you can listen to a native speaker’s sounds daily with the Ling App. Don’t miss this feature if you want to learn how to pronounce Khmer correctly.
Due to the fact that many students of Khmer have difficulty with Khmer pronunciation, we recommend using our mobile chatbot if you have no prior connections with the Khmer people. Conversations with a natural Khmer accent provided by our chatbot are available daily. The trick is to maintain coherence in both listening and speaking. In this way, you can feel comfortable beginning conversations with the locals.
Most Khmer learners chose Ling to help them succeed, so why not join them? Download the Ling App from the Google PlayStore and Apple AppStore now, and prepare to be fluent in Khmer soon!