The old farmer skillfully plays 3 traditional musical instruments.

(Baonghean.vn) - Although he is a pure farmer and has never attended any formal music training, the sound of the guitar and flute of Mr. Nguyen The Chu always touches the hearts of listeners.

Watch old farmer Nguyen The Chu play some traditional musical instruments:

Arriving at hamlet 4, Dong Tho, Dien Tho commune (Dien Chau), we accidentally heard the sound of a moon lute playing a cheerful and lively melody. We searched for the source of the sound, it was a house at the end of the hamlet, surrounded by laterite walls. The owner, and also the person who was absorbed in the keys of the lute, was Mr. Nguyen The Chu (born in 1954).

We went all the way to Mr. Chu's porch and realized that there were guests. He temporarily put down his guitar and then explained: "Farmers are still free at this time. It's a few weeks before the planting season, so I bring these things out to play to relieve boredom. It's also a way for me to relieve my worries and concerns in life."

Mr. Nguyen The Chu is absorbed in playing the moon lute. Photo: Cong Kien

Mr. Chu was born in Dien Tho commune - formerly Nho Lam land, a famous countryside with a rich cultural tradition, the hometown of Cao Lo - a talented general of Thuc Phan An Duong Vuong, also a place famous for blacksmithing. His family has a tradition of loving singing, since he was young, he followed his parents to watch tuong and hat ngheo performances at village festivals. And that is where his passion originated.

Growing up a little, the boy Nguyen The Chu was in the school's art troupe, often playing the role of soldiers and performing nursery rhymes and folk songs of Nghe An, getting acquainted with and performing traditional musical instruments. Then he got married, became a farmer with muddy hands and feet all year round, facing many difficulties and deprivations in life.

Mr. Nguyen The Chu plays the erhu for the local folk song exchange program. Photo: Cong Kien

However, his passion for folk music grew stronger over the years, his voice became more and more mellow; his guitar and flute sounds became smoother and more passionate. He was still regularly present in the commune's mass art team, participating in festivals and art performances as both an actor and a musician, contributing to proud achievements.

Regarding traditional musical instruments, Mr. Nguyen The Chu skillfully and fluently plays the two-stringed fiddle, the moon-shaped lute and the flute. He always carefully preserves these three instruments, only taking them out in his spare time or when there are happy occasions or festivals. “They are like soul mates, sharing joy and sadness. When I let my soul drift with the music, my worries just disappear,” he shared.

The moon lute, the two-stringed fiddle and the flute are musical instruments that Mr. Nguyen The Chu always carefully preserves. Photo: Cong Kien

In the past, during the planting and harvesting seasons, Mr. Chu often brought all three of these musical instruments to the fields, waiting for a break after tiring working hours to play the smooth, melodious tunes. Listening to the music, the villagers stopped to listen with a sense of pleasure, the cold of winter and the harsh summer sun seemed to be somewhat dispelled...

In their spare time, villagers and commune members often come to his house to enjoy his “free” music. Mr. Nguyen Cong Huynh, hamlet 6, Tay Tho (Dien Tho) said: “I come here several times a week to listen to his music. His music has helped me return to my innocent and difficult childhood years, to meet old people and old scenes...”.

Mr. Nguyen The Chu confided his feelings into the flute. Photo: Cong Kien

Fascinated by Mr. Nguyen The Chu's musical instruments, many people have come to his house to learn from him. He is always willing to pass on his experience and secrets accumulated over the past half century. To date, 35 people have been taught by Mr. Chu and have mastered the musical instruments of the two-stringed fiddle, moon-shaped lute and flute./.

Cong Kien