Cambodian music lesson

In the picture above, landmine survivors play the tro, a Cambodian traditional instrument similar to the violin, near a temple to raise money.  This blog tells the story of these musicians.  

I looked around Russian Market, a main tourist market here, for souvenirs and gifts yesterday, and amidst the hand-painted teapots, Apsara keychains, and Angkor beer t-shirts, I saw a few traditional instruments, including the tro.  I saw two different types of tro: one with a wood and snakeskin base and one with a coconut shell and leather base.  Two small strings run from the base to the top.  The sound changes depending on the type of base, the movement of your fingers, and the way you stretch the bow across the string.  The vendor showed me how to play, but somehow when I tried, it sounded like a cat dying.