Learn about "Ví" and "Giặm".

Folk singing

Ví singing is typically free-form, without fixed rhythms or tempos; the singer can improvise and adjust the pitch spontaneously. The pitch and duration of the melody may vary depending on the lyrics (whether they are in even or uneven tones, few or many words). Ví belongs to the genre of recitation and poetry, using the method of setting folk poetry (six-eight, seven-six-eight, variations of six-eight, etc.) to music.

According to Professor Dinh Gia Khanh: "People call it 'ví singing,' perhaps because it uses metaphors to express feelings to one another. The metaphorical tone is very close to poetic tone, scale, and rhythm."

There is also an interpretation that "ví" means "vói," implying that the men stand outside the gate or street and sing loudly into the yard or house to the women, or that the girls planting rice in one field "sing loudly" across to the boys pulling up seedlings in another field.

The expressiveness of folk singing depends on the environment, time, space, and mood of the singer. The vocal range of folk songs usually does not exceed one octave. The melodies of folk songs sound expansive, profound, wistful, and full of heartfelt affection. However, there are also types of folk songs that are playful, humorous, mischievous, innocent, and youthful.

The folk singing style has many melodies such as "ví đò đưa" (boatman's folk song), "ví phường vải" (cloth weaver's folk song), "ví phường cấy" (rice planter's folk song), "ví phường võng" (hammock-making folk song), "ví phường chè" (tea-making folk song), "ví đồng ruộng" (field folk song), "ví treo non" (mountain climbing folk song), "ví mục đồng" (shepherd's folk song), "ví Chuỗi" (chain folk song), "ví ghẹo" (teasing folk song)...

Hát Giặm

"Giặm" is understood as adding (replanting rice). According to the Vietnamese Dictionary (Institute of Linguistics, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, 1992), "giặm" has two meanings: 1. Patching up a damaged area (replanting a winnowing basket, replanting a sieve); 2. Adding to a vacant space (replanting rice seedlings in the field, adding rice in the middle of the day).

There are many interpretations of "giặm". Musician Vĩnh Long, in his song...Nghe Tinh folk singingTwo interpretations have been suggested: One interpretation is that "giặm" refers to the repetition of the last line, and another is that "giặm" means repeating the rhyme in the question. Another interpretation is that "giặm" means filling in the blanks in a song.

Unlike folk songs, <i>giặm</i> is a form of singing with a clear rhythm, strong and weak beats, and internal and external rhythms. Typically, a <i>giặm</i> song has many stanzas, each with 5 lines (the 5th line often repeats the 4th), and each line has 5 words. However, there are also <i>giặm</i> songs and verses that do not have clearly defined stanzas, but are sung continuously, sometimes dozens or hundreds of lines, and each line may not necessarily have 5 words but could have 4, 6, or 7 words (due to variations in the lyrics).

These songs are rich in narrative, personal reflection, storytelling, advice, explanation, and self-reflection. There are also witty and humorous verses, satirical and ironic ones, and even lyrical verses expressing love and affection.

"Hát giặm" is a genre of spoken-word singing using allegorical poetry. The accompanying music is usually rhythmic clappers. Examples of "hát giặm" melodies include: "giặm xẩm," "giặm nối," "giặm vè," "giặm kể," etc. These melodies feature strong and weak rhythmic clappers, as well as internal and external beats.

References:

1. International Scientific Conference: “Preservation and Promotion of Folk Song Values ​​in Contemporary Society (the case of Ví and Giặm folk songs of Nghệ Tĩnh)”Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, 2014.
2. Local Literature of Vinh City, Author Duong Xuan Hong (compiled), Vinh University Publishing House.
3. Regarding the folk literature of Nghe Tinh, Associate Professor Ninh Viet Giao, Nghe Tinh Publishing House, 1982.
4. Article:"The enduring value of Ví and Giặm folk songs of Nghệ Tĩnh", Tu Thi Loan, Nghe An Culture Magazine, May 29, 2015.