Where a passion meets...

(Baonghean) - On an October afternoon, it was drizzling. It was a surprise when turning into a coffee shop by Goong Lake, I saw a group of young people playing the flute. In the middle of the bustling, noisy streets, the melodious bamboo flute concert was strangely clear and holy...

Nghe An Bamboo Flute Club on its launch day. Photo: Phan Sang

At first glance, in that group of young people, only Phan Sang (Tien Phong newspaper reporter) is the oldest. Sang shared: “I have been learning to play the flute for a long time. Now I have met some young people who share the same passion, I joined for fun and guided them to establish a club called Sao Truc Xu Nghe. Today is the official launch day of the club.

The Nghe An Bamboo Flute Club has more than 20 members, including 4 female members. Most of the members are from the 9X generation, currently studying at universities and colleges in Vinh City. They come from many different rural areas, some are in their first year, just stepping into the city and still feeling confused, but their passion for bamboo flutes has united them into close brothers and friends. Trang - a first-year student at Vinh University, shared: "I often follow my friends to Ho Chi Minh Square to play, seeing my friends playing the flute so happily, I asked to learn. At first, I just thought I would learn for fun, to learn, but now, whenever I go anywhere without my flute, I feel like something is missing, and when I see someone with a beautiful flute on the street, I crave it, sister!" Hoang - the friend sitting next to Trang added: "My mother scolded me many times for bringing my flute everywhere, whenever I have a little free time, I take it out to play!" Club members, some have learned the flute since they were young, some have only been familiar with the flute for a few months. Those who know a lot teach those who know less. They share with each other through the sound of the flute. Every Monday and Friday evening, club members gather at Ho Chi Minh Square flower garden to exchange and learn about flute playing techniques. Nguyen Van Nguyen - Head of the Nghe An Bamboo Flute Club said: "Blowing the flute is an art that requires the player to go through a long learning process. For those who are new to the game, the first thing is to learn how to hold the flute, how to blow it to make it sound, then continue learning how to breathe and basic music theory in the bamboo flute...".

Nguyen has been attached to the flute since he was a child. Most people who come into contact with Nguyen feel that he is more mature than his 20 years old. His humble way of speaking and gentle demeanor exude confidence. Nguyen was born and raised in the rice fields of Dong Thanh - Yen Thanh. Nguyen's father - Mr. Nguyen Van Binh is a famous artist of Dong Thanh commune. During the day, he is busy with farming work, but at night, he is absorbed in love songs with a simple flute made from bamboo. That soulful sound seems to help him forget all the hardships and fatigue. At those times, the young Nguyen listens attentively, as if absorbing every high and low note of the flute. Nguyen's father taught him how to breathe and how to vibrate. At the age of 8, he was able to play nursery rhymes with cheerful melodies. During the free summer afternoons, the father and son went to find bamboo, put a small steel bar in the fire to burn it, and pierced it into the bamboo to make a flute. That simple bamboo flute has appeared countless times on the stage of Dong Thanh commune and Yen Thanh district with Nguyen and his father. Not only is he talented in playing the flute, Mr. Binh is also a member of the village's art troupe called Hon Que, participating in a number of plays. During the performances, Nguyen was always present to cheer for his father. Gradually, he "followed his father's footsteps" to become the "nucleus" in cultural and artistic movements of the commune and school...

After graduating from grade 12, he registered for the Foreign Language Pedagogy major at Nghe An College of Education. With a lively and enthusiastic personality, he enthusiastically participated in the activities of the school's Youth Union and became a member of the Executive Committee of the English Faculty's Youth Union. Through social networking sites, Nguyen made friends with people who shared his passion for playing the flute to learn and improve his technique. Nguyen shared: "I was lucky to make friends on Facebook with artist Bui Cong Thom, a lecturer at the National Academy of Music, and the head of the saotruc.net Club. After listening to me share, he gave me his phone number for easy contact. Recently, I had the opportunity to go to Hanoi to exchange with famous bamboo flute clubs in the North, and learned many interesting and meaningful things!". He learned to play the flute through the internet, through people who have professional experience in blowing techniques as well as the techniques of making a complete bamboo flute. He saved up the money from selling the flutes to buy some more machines for making flutes.

Establishing the Bamboo Flute Club is Nguyen’s passion. As the “leader”, Nguyen was not without surprises. He had to prepare his own lesson plans to guide members during each activity. Nguyen added: “Most of you like the bamboo flute, but the breathing techniques are still limited, not to mention how to play it with soul. Students who can afford a flute are very lucky, but it will take a long time to get a full set.” Nguyen hopes that the club will have a small fund to equip each member with at least one flute.

Currently, Nguyen Van Nguyen is playing the flute for some coffee shops in Vinh City. In addition to his flute talent, he can also play many other musical instruments such as guitar, organ, monochord... Nguyen also has the desire to contribute a small part to preserving and promoting the value of national music!

Nguyen Le