5 distinctive musical instruments of the Thai people of Nghe An
(Baonghean.vn) - Stemming from their daily lives and productive labor, the Thai people of western Nghe An have created their own musical instruments, contributing to the distinctive cultural characteristics of the Vietnamese ethnic communities.
Nghe An Newspaper would like to introduce 5 characteristic musical instruments of the Thai people (Nghe An):
1. Bamboo mouth organ:
As a versatile instrument, the khèn bè is most effective when accompanying Thai folk melodies (khắp, lăm, nhuôn, xuối).
The bamboo mouth organ, along with other musical instruments, creates a vibrant and lively symphony, expressing the optimism, love of life, and solidarity of the Thai ethnic community.
Therefore, for most Thai ethnic villages, festivals and celebrations cannot be without the soothing sound of the bamboo flute, as it is the "soul" of the ethnic group.
The materials used to craft the bamboo mouth organ consist of 14 small bamboo sections of varying lengths, joined together in 7 parallel pairs to form a single block. These bamboo blocks are connected by a wooden gourd, and the artisans create air vents on the bamboo sections and attach brass reeds.
Playing the khèn bè requires skill, finesse, and deep emotion from the player. Those who are skilled in crafting and playing the khèn bè are often recognized by the locals as artisans.
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| Artist Vi Thanh Hai plays the bamboo mouth organ. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
Video clip of artisan Vi Thanh Hai, from Chan village, Thach Giam commune (Tuong Duong district), playing the bamboo flute:
2. Xi Xờ Lo:
Besides being used for solo performances, this instrument can also be used in ensembles or as accompaniment for folk songs in everyday life.
The bowed string instrument is made from a bamboo tube 45-50cm long. Historically, it had two silk strings, but nowadays, in addition to using iron strings, the bow is made from a thin bamboo stick about 45cm long and 1cm wide; the bowstring is usually made from small nylon threads, but most commonly from bamboo.
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| Mr. Luong Van An plays the zither. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
A video clip of Mr. Luong Van An, from Khe Ngau village, Xa Luong commune (Tuong Duong district), playing the xi xo lo (a traditional Vietnamese stringed instrument):
3. Leaf trumpet:
This is the simplest type of musical instrument, because all you need is a fresh, undamaged leaf, cut off the stem, and fold it in half along the vein to make a trumpet.
The leaf-shaped horn produces a high-pitched sound, effectively reproducing the sounds of flowing streams and birdsong, or other distinctive sounds of the forest and mountains.
The leaf trumpet is a simple instrument, so it can be used anytime, anywhere.
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| Artist Lo Thanh Dan plays the leaf trumpet. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
Video clip of artisan Lo Thanh Dan from Khe Ngau village, Xa Luong commune (Tuong Duong district) playing the leaf trumpet:
4.Carving furrows:
The rice pounding trough, originally a trough, is constructed from a single, old, twisted-grained tree trunk, with few cracks in the middle, approximately 45cm wide and 2.5-3cm long. This trunk is carved into the shape of a boat, resembling a short water trough, with a hole drilled at one end for pounding rice. The pestles are about 2m long and 14cm in diameter.
The furrow-carving instrument is classified as one of the earliest and most rudimentary musical instruments. It only takes a few people to carve a furrow. When carving, people hold a pestle and strike it against the sides or bottom of the furrow, creating loud, strong, decisive, or rapid sounds, depending on the method they prescribe.
On joyous occasions such as weddings and festivals, the sound of furrowing echoes throughout the village.
Video clip of villagers in Lau hamlet, Thach Giam commune (Tuong Duong district) celebrating the furrow-carving festival:
5. Flute (Pí):
Made from a bamboo tube about 50cm long, with 4 holes drilled in it, the pí can be played solo or as an accompaniment to òn (a melody of the Thai ethnic group). The Thai people use it on occasions such as weddings, housewarming parties, and welcoming guests.
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| Artisan Luong Van Pan plays the flute. Photo: Dinh Tuan |
Video clip of artisan Luong Van Pan from Khe Ngau village, Xa Luong commune (Tuong Duong district) playing the flute:
Dinh Tuan
