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Dan Bau,
Dan Tranh,
Dan T'rung,
Dan Tam Thap Luc,
Dan Nguyet,
Dan Doan,
Dan K'long Put,
Dan Nhi,
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Let the artist of the Dan Bau be the only one who listens to his music. Young maid guard yourself against listening.
According to the "Dai Nam thuc luc tien bien" the first dan bau was made in 1770. At its first appearance it was a very simple instrument comprised of a bamboo section, a flexible rod, a calabash or half a coconut. After a process of evolution and improvement, the present form of the dan bau is a bit more sophisticated, yet still quite simple. It consists of an oblong box-shaped sound board, slightly narrower toward one end, with a slightly warped top made of unvarnished soft light wood, sides made of hard wood, and a bottom of light wood pierced with holes for better sound. At one end of the sound board is a flexible bamboo rod that goes through a dried calabash whose bottom end has been cut out before being fixed on the sounding board. At the other end of the sounding board is a peg made of wood or metal used for tuning . The metal string, is attached to the rod and to the peg. The pluck is a pointed stick of bamboo or rattan. The notes played by the dan bau are smooth, sweet, and captivating. In recent years success has been achieved in amplifying the sound, causing an increase in volume and distance the that the sound carries, while still preserving the quality of the sound. The instrument is played solo or to accompany a poetry recital. During recent years, it has taken a role in orchestral accompaniment to cheo and cai luong opera. The dan bau has been performed on major stages in foreign countries.
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The tranh zither is also called the thap luc cam or sixteen-stringed zither. The tranh zither appeared in Vietnam in the time of the Tran dynasty (12th-13th centuries). It has a rectangular sounding box, about 110 centimetres long that tapers about 13 cm toward an end , with a warped sound board made of unvarnished light wood. The sides are made of hard wood decorated with various designs, either lacquered or inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The bottom is made of light wood with sound holes. The broader end of the sound box is pierced with 16 holes and reinforced with a metal band.
Toward the middle of
the sound board there are 16 bridges made of wood or bone tipped with
copper that can be moved to vary the tension of the strings, thus creating
various notes. At the narrower end of the box are sixteen pegs for tuning.
The strings are metal and tuned to the pentatonic scale. The music of the tranh zither is usually light and full of cheerfulness. The instrument bears some likeness to the Japanese koto, the Korean Kayagum, the Mongolian Jatac, the Chinese Zeng, and the Indonesian Kachap, which have 13, 12, 12, 13-16, 7-24 strings, respectively. It is nonetheless an original Vietnamese instrument with specific musical characteristics. It is used to accompany poetry recitals and is quite often part of an orchestra or a band playing chamber music, religious music, or accompanying cheo or cai luong drama.  |
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There are three types of T'rung: high, medium and low tones. The simplest type is composed of five tubes corresponding to La, Do 1, Re 1, Fa 1, Sol 1 and producing deep and resounding tones. In the majestic Central Highlands, T'rung is often played after back-breaking farm work and during evening get get-togethers in the communal house around a bonfire with young boys and girls singing and dancing merrily. The sounds of the gong and T'rung also mingle together at wedding parties and village festivals. The T'rung instrument has been largely improved. More tubes have been added ,and at times as many as 48 tubes are arranged in three arrays capable of performing intricate piece of modern music while preserving the traditional sound scale Some players have even invented a stick notched at both ends for a single hand to produce two sounds at the same time, heightening the artistry of the instrument. Vietnam's national music bands have never neglected the role of T'rung, an instrument which is original and made of simple materials, but highly appreciated at performances in the famous musical halls of many foreign countries. |
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DAN TAM THAP LUC (36-string zither) The 36-string zither is a percussion instrument. It has the shape of an isosceles trapezoid, with a slightly convex sound board made of light, porous, unvarnished wood. The bridges and sides are made of hardwood. The bottom is flat. There are two staggered lines of 18 bridges on the sound board. The bridges on the left have hooks to which the strings are attached; those on the right have pegs for tuning. The strings are of metal. Those on the left, numbering 18, are tuned as follows:
The range of the instrument covers three octaves from C to B2. The strings are struck with two thin flexible bamboo sticks tipped with felt. The playing technique includes a quick run, vibrato, stopping, and pressing. The tones are bright and merry and the notes of an arpeggio can be played in swift succession or simultaneously. The instrument plays an important role in the band accompanying cheo and cai luong operas. The 36-string zither can be played to accompany instrument solos, singing, or as part of an orchestra. Recently, more strings have been added so that all semi-tones can be played.
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The dan nguyet is distinguished by its pure and loud sound, as well as by its great capacity to express different emotions. Thus, it is heard at solemn and animated ritual concerts, funerals, or refined chamber music recitals. It can be played in solo, as part of an orchestra, or to accompany other instruments. Due to its long neck and high frets, the dan nguyet is also used as an ornament
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Dan Doan has a shape of the sun (bigger than the moon). Therefore, sometimes people call it - Dan Nhat (Dàn Nhâ.t). It has 2 strings, a very short neck, and the frets are right on the resonator box. |
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A ccording to a legend, this instrument is the residence of Mother Rice (goddess). Therefore, it is closely associated with agricultural production, being played exclusively by women on the field and at specific festivities, such as eating new rice, closing the rice storage house, welcoming the New Year, etc. The number of k'long put melodies is somewhat limited. This instrument has been brought to stage by professional artists who perform various pieces.
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A folksong of the north, a lullaby of the centre, or a cai luong aria of the south will lose much of its charm if not accompanied by the nhi, a traditional instrument capable of a great variety of expression.  The nhi is a bow instrument with two strings, commonly used among the Viet ethnic group and several national minorities: Muong, Tay, Thai, Gie, Trieng, Khmer. The nhi comprises a tubular body made of hard wood with snake or python skin stretched over one end and a bridge. The neck of the nhi has no frets. Made of hard wood, one end of the neck goes through the body; the other end slants slightly backward. There are two pegs for tuning. The two strings, which used to be made of silk, are now of metal and are tuned in fifths: C-1 D-2; F-1 C-2; or C-1 G-1. The bow is made of bamboo or wood and fitted with horsehair,. The hair goes through the space between the strings. The tones of the nhi range over two octaves, from C-1 to C-3. In drawing the bow, the player uses various techniques, including legato, vibrato, staccato; combined with his fingering of the strings he can produce trills, glissando, rapid runs, etc. The nhi is a highly expressive instrument which plays an important solo and orchestral-role. |
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As the name indicated, this lute composed of three silk strings. Dan Tam can have very high sound. The tension of every string can vary freely to produce melodious sounds. One intestestring thing is that Dan Tam is fretless, The sound-box is usally decorated or covered with snake skin.
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Dan Ty Ba has a pear-shaped
sound-box that becomes narrow toward its upper end to form the neck. This
instrument has 4 strings of braided silk.
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Note: Information based on the website of Vietnam Tourism.
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This musical
instrument was intended for women. The name klong put of Xe Dang
origin has become the common name of this woodwind musical instruments
depicted to the right. It is played by ethnic groups in Tay Nguyen, such
as the Xe Dang, Bahnar, Gia Rai, Hre, etc.
Read and listen to Vietnamese
Traditional Music at Vietnam Melody website
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