Let's talk about the Vietnamese Dan Tranh (Zither) Ep.1
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- First episode of a series of videos where I will talk about everything that concerns the Vietnamese Dan Tranh (Zither). Stay tuned!
www.tringuyen.fr/
open.spotify.c...
Concerning the etymology of "đàn tranh", "tranh" is actually the Vietnamese pronunciation of the Chinese character 箏, meaning zither, which is pronounced "zheng" in Mandarin (as in guzheng). The character 爭, meaning to quarrel or fight, happens to also be pronounced "tranh" in Vietnamese and "zheng" in Mandarin (in fact, 箏 is written as 爭 with a radical on top).
While these two homophones are differentiated in Chinese by their different characters, they are no longer differentiated in Vietnamese due to the transition from Chữ Hán to Quốc Ngữ. As a result, folk etymologies such as the one you mentioned in your video have become widespread in the Vietnamese language. The transition from Chinese characters to a Latin alphabet has caused a lot of confusion concerning Vietnamese linguistics, although the ease of learning the new alphabet probably makes up for this.
Thank you for making this video! Resources on traditional Vietnamese instruments are few and far between, let alone ones as well presented as this. I'm looking forward to the next episode.
Thanks for your enlightenment! I've heard about the difference between these two words... but let's dream a bit! Legends are so beautiful :).
I'll try to keep up with the next episodes (yes, I'm horribly LATE! mea culpa mea maxi culpa), thank you so much for your encouragements again.
I wouldn't get too tied up on the Han Ngu. Have to remember that after Tan Thuy Hoang united China he abolished any other forms of written language and united all ethnicity under one writting system. There are lots of words from other ethnic groups they never created writting for since it is all pictographs.
Lots of Vietnamese invention were taken away and claimed as Chinese invention. There was an article disputing the invention of the compass should be ancient Viet. The location of the compass and name "Kim Chi Nam" the use of verbs and nouns match with ancient Viet then China at that time.
awesome, thanks so much for this! i'm currently learning the dan tranh and it's wonderful hearing the philosophical background to it. would love to hear more about how the dan tranh fit into culture / who had access / shaped culture / etc.
Thanks Amy! I'm so so so late making the second episode, it's been hectic all the time and I'm finishing the release of my next album for next February! But, promise, I'll do my best ! Thanks so much for you encouraging words!
I know this video is about two years old but I hope you upload more about the dan tranh (especially lessons/tips) soon!
Awesome video! I would love more tutorials on it. I was looking into getting one but shipping it from Vietnam to the US is so expensive! If you have any ideas/suggestions about how I could get one over here that would be greatly appreciated! If not, I guess that I 'll have to wait at least another year or so until I visit Vietnam again and bring one over myself. Looking forward to more videos on it!!
Hi Xuan. Thanks so much for your kind words. Yes! i'll have to do more, but I never seem to be able to find the time for it! Will have to force myself to do more tutorials, you're right! As for the dan-tranh, here's a website based in the US you can check out: www.soundofasia.com/info.html . The only thing is that if you have it shipped over to where you live without testing it first, that could be a bit tricky. Like all instruments, the best way to get a good one is to play on it first. On the other hand, if you need an address in Vietnam once you're there, I have a very good one. Send me a message via my website and I'll email it to you. Thanks again and hope you'll find one soon :)
Many thanks for your video. I'm from Mexico and this kind of instrument is very, very rare. However, there's a guy who has a dan tranh for sale. He don't know what instrument really is, he tought it was a chinese guzheng. I own a guzheng already and I was dubious about to buy the dan trahn, but with your video I'm fully convinced. By the way, I also have a dan bau. I just love traditional vietnames music!!
Dear Jesus. Gosh, that is the kindest thing anyone has said/wrote to me in a week! I'm so grateful that this helps, and that you finally have decided to get a dan tranh for yourself:) This is one of the reasons why I love making music; being able to reach out to others and make a small contribution to the world. Keep me posted!
Dear all, thank you so much for all your comments and suggestions. mea culpa, mea maxi culpa, I'm VERY late in the making of Ep. 2!!! BUT promise, I'll dig into it very soon. Travels are great but so time consuming, I was in NYC then in Italy, just got back, with so many wonderful new projects. Will get back to you all. Thanks so much for your support and encouragements... and patience!! Love you all.
Hello… when can you get episode out? Been eagerly waiting for years.
Hi please,
We're all waiting for you !
Did you ever make episode 2? I have not seen it. I recently purchased a similar instrument from the Hoc Dan Tranh, but mine is 21 strings. I am taking it to the United States with me, and I am afraid I will be entirely on my own in learning it. Videos and information from you would be very helpful, as you are so knowledgeable. The woman who sold me the instrument is also very knowledgeable and helpful, but she speaks no English, so although she is also a teacher, she cannot truly help me much.
@@SquishyMoss I know I know and I'm so ashamed! I just can't find the time! But WILL HAVE TO!!! Thank you for your patience!!
@@helloitsme8210 Thank you so much for your patience!!! I promise I'll try my best!!!
I never knew how deep a connection Nature plays in the Dan Tranh. How beautiful! No wonder you have this passion to tell the world about your special instrument. Bravo to you!
Thank you so much for taking the time to watch this video dear Toni. Yes, we are all connected to Nature, more or less, and we owe HER so much!!
❤️❤️❤️❤️ love Vietnam 🇻🇳
merci Fatiha :)
Bonjour Dan , je n’ai pas trouvé ta page Facebook !!! 😘
Hello Anh Tri,
It’s very interesting how you explained the elements that the sound of each element from 5..each 4 seasons..,
I would like to have a conversation regarding the combination of Đàn và Đạo Học!?
Hello bạn :)
Thank you for your comments. I fact, I'm not a specialist in the Religious Music of Vietnam, even though I know for a fact that in Vietnam's Cao Đài Religion (I gather you are a disciple seeing your TH-cam ID), pieces from the " Đờn Ca Tài Tử" repertoire is widely used, ranging from Lưu Thủy Trường, Nam Ai, Nam Xuân, Lý Con Sáo, Đão Ngũ Cung, etc., are played. These pieces were brought to the South by Masters from Imperial Hue, but have undergone changes in interpretation, modulations, and execution, and now have a separate identity of their own.
In the North, Chầu Văn, music played and sung during the Hầu Đồng ceremonies, has a large repertoire, each song dedicated to the 50 + (if I'm not mistaken) deities under the patronage of Saint Mother Đạo Mẫu.
These are very intricate beautiful ceremonies that can last for more than 3 hours. Perhaps you are familiar with these ceremonies?
Strings connected to the different elements vary from piece to piece, following the "di dịch, biến hóa" (everlasting change) theories of Eastern Cosmology. A whole different subject to dwell into!
It was so interesting and informative about Dan Tranh subject. Love it!!
thanks so much Chuck! Been SO busy I haven't had time for the next eposides. I WILL have to though!
I am desperately trying to learn more about the Dan Tranh after receiving one as a gift, I don’t know how to play it or where to even start and am looking for any information
Hi. You can contact me via my website/contacts. I'll try to help you out with more info. Cheers.
In 1967, I had the opportunity to be in Saigon, Vietnam, and witnessed an older man sitting crosslegged on the sidewalk as he played this instrument. I was fascinated by both the instrument, the sound, and the skill of the man. Thank you so much for your video. I enjoyed watching you perform and listening to your music.
Thank you so much for the kind and thoughtful comment dear Dianne! If you're like to listen to more, you can find more on Spotify. Just type my name!
Happy New Year to you! All the best. Tri
Thank you so much for this informative video ❤
Thank you!! I'll have to find the time to make more videos!!
Fantastic! Great lesson!
Thank you Diva!!!!
Bravo!! Thank you much, it is a joy to play all three traditions of the long plucked zithers in my home. So I love knowing others are sharing it to the world here. Bravo!! 🇨🇦🥰
Không biết ổng nói gì chỉ biết cây đàn của việt nam
This is incredible. I found it in my grandmothers attic, and I would love more than anything to learn how to harness it. I need to tune it!! How? Thank you for this deliberate explanation. It was impeccable and real. Many thanks :-)!
Thank YOU! I'll have to make a video about the tuning. Will just have to find the time! And so sorry for the late reply! Stay safe :)
Will you make your epiode 2 on tuning?
In fact this is what I will HAVE to do!! I'm so ashamed, I just can't find the time to make episode II, but WILL HAVE to!! Thank you for your patience!!
How do you determine the position of the bridges and the tension of the string? Is it just roughly to get the tone you’re after or do you match harmonics created by the different tension and scale lengths?
I love playing blues with the dan tranh, it’s possible! Nice video, informative and quick. It’s hard to find information about this instrument in english.
Hi Jacob. Good question. It all depends on how you want the dan-tranh to sound. Higher tension on the strings creates more incisive sounds, but with less space for modulations with the left hand, less "vibrato"; whereas looser strings give more flexibility. However, if the strings are too loose, you may have "buzzer sounds". With modern dan-tranhs, the first bridge (lowest note) would usually be about 30 centimeters from the peg, the last bridge (highest note) would be about 8 centimeters from the fixed bridge on the right. This gives harmony to all the strings. The more the bridges are further right, the looser the strings would be, and vice-versa (but I think you know that already).
What I personally prefer is to have well-balanced tension on the strings: this gives me space to modulate with my left hand, and I can alter the sound of the note with my right hand, depending on where I pluck the notes, near the fixed bridge or further to the left.
Brava for your Blues playing on the dan-tranh! I've recorded one piece in my last album on a Blues structure, based on an old Northern tune: open.spotify.com/track/54P0ZFC6Q8XosrG6dOdb39?si=7823e3cfaede4550
and did one track with electronic music for my last single: open.spotify.com/track/4MJO67yuHt910604qy2ISv?si=6848d35788044424
Hope you'll enjoy them!
Thanks so much for your comment.
Someone should try ro make a dan tranh with 32 strings!
Thank you for creating this series! I was on Amazon searching for Guzheng but came across your music and here I am! I love the symbolism of the dan tranh. I would love to learn more about this so please don't stop teaching us. All of my family is in Vietnam and my family here doesn't share the culture with me or my sisters but we really love it. Thanks again Tri!
Wow, this is the kindest thing I've heard in a while!! Thanks so much Linh. I'll try to do more!! Have been so busy, and even with the lockdown, still finishing all that I have to finish! But I'll do more for sure!! Authentic Vietnamese music needs people like you to stay alive and flourish. Take care and stay safe!
great! thanky alot!
Hi Anh Trí. Anh đàn rất hay. Em hỏi anh làm sao em mua một cai đàn tranh để em học. Em ở San Diego, California. Cảm ơn anh!
Hello Terri. Thank you! Có cái website nầy bán đờn tranh, Terri thử xem? www.soundofasia.com/dantranh.html
Thank you Anh Tri! 🙏🏼
Anh Tri, where did you get the pretty tassel that joins the ngua/ nhan? Thank you Anh 🙏🏼
@@terrimagoffin1329 sorry for the late reply Terri. hectic for me these days! Next album in the making and it's so exhausting! To answer your question about the tassel, I bought these in Beijing years ago when I visited the city. They do sort of the same tassels in Vietnam but it's quite rare now and the craftmanship is different.
Happy new year of the Cat!!
hello i love the vietnamese nha trang
Very informative! Can't wait to see more! I bought a Dan Tranh from Vietnam and would love to learn how to play it!
I'm sure you'll find a good teacher where you are! Sorry for the late reply. I've been SO busy and will have to find time to make another video! Thank you!
next time please play du xuan please
Maybe you can do a video on picking out a dan tranh? I'm having trouble looking for this instrument but honestly, I don't even know what to look out for O.O
Hi there Linh. Well, that's the tricky part! Like all instruments, you have to try it out first before making a decision. And that's the only way! Modern communication technology is great, but our "ears" are just not replaceable...yet! My advice is that you go to the store and pick up your dan-tranh with somebody who knows the instrument well. Hope you'll get one you like soon! Take care :)
Quel plaisir de te voir Tri, j’ai regardé toutes tes vidéos, et ça fait chaud au cœur. Dis moi tu tu as Instagram 🙏🏻❤️💚
Slt mon ami!! Quel plaisir de te retrouver! Comment vas-tu? je t'avais répondu mais apparemment il y a avait un problème avec mon ordi, le message n'a pas été retenu. Oui suis instagram! :tringuyen_888 A plus!
Hi Tri, thank you so much for sharing this wonderful video! such a beautiful instrument. I am a guzheng instructor and I am living in the US now. Just wondering if you have any online Dan Tranh lessons? I would love to have a chance to learn this beautiful instrument.
Hi Yuxuan. Thanks for the kind message and Happy New Year of the Cat/Rabbit (Cat for the Vietnamese and Rabbit for other Asian countries!) :)
Wonderful that you want to find out more about the dan-tranh. Please email me via my website, we'll take it from there for more info (www.tringuyen.fr/contact/)
Cheers and talk soon!
Hi, I stumbled upon your TH-cam by chance while I was searching up “zither for beginners”. I learned it when I was 12 years old but stopped for almost 2 decades. I still have my old dan tranh up in the attic somewhere but I decided to buy a new one and I bought a guzheng, 21 strings. I tuned it up how I learned it, the way you have it. But I was wondering if you also teach classes and/or if you know anyone in California who teaches. I wanted to tune the notes to be like my piano, is that possible?
Hi Layla. So sorry for the late reply. I'm in the middle of finishing my next album so it's crazy hectic and exhausting! Yes, I do online lessons, and I'm sure there are dan-tranh terachers in California but unfortunately I personally don't know them.
To answer your last question, one can tune the dan-tranh in any way one wants to, but Vietnamese music is based on pentatonic scales, so if you tune it like the piano... it would take away all the authenticity of the music. Besides, if you tune it like the piano, alterations (flats and sharps) included, you'll only have an octave and a half left compared to the 3 octaves you have with a traditional tuning.
If you want more details, please write via my website email: www.tringuyen.fr/contact/
Cheers and Happy new year of the Cat!!
I look forward to Episode 2. Perhaps you can talk about the ancient famous zither compositions and also how the zither is being used today. A wonderful history of the types of music and collaborations of the zither and other instruments/artists would be fascinating. But I am interested also in the ancient music played by our ancestors. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I enjoy exploring your tringuyen.fr website. You are very gifted and have a lot of heart! We need that so much in the world now. Blessings to you!
Thank you so much for your kind words and suggestions dear ... princess! I can tell by your name that you are part the imperial family. Having people like you encourage Vietnam's music and heritage is a blessing. Will of course take into the utmost consideration your proposals and hope you'll like the next episodes! Share the video! Make it a buzz! The dan tranh and I would be so grateful! We need to get it out there!! Thank you again :)
@Cong Ton Nữ Tuyet: visit my chanel to hear about solo perfomace vietnamese zither, please. Trân trọng.
Many Thanks!
Thank YOU!!
What a wonderful introduction to this beautiful instrument. I'm so glad I found this!
this video was so informative, i'm looking forward to episode 2! i have a dan tranh but the only person who could've taught me how to play it moved away. the diasporic community where i live keeps shrinking and i'm trying to hang onto my culture through little things like learning the dan tranh. would you consider covering the dan tranh with 17 strings next episode?
Where are you located? I just bought a Dan tranh and want to learn but like you, I can’t find an instructor in my area. :( Been looking for resources online. I have yet to put the Dan tranh together and tune it. Is there a good resource you know of that can help me setup and tune my dan tranh? Thank you in advance 🙏
@@vutiff louisiana in the united states, and sorry, i literally don't know anything about the instrument ): i've been relying on a part 2 of this vid to learn anything. good luck with finding someone who can help you
Anh trai hay quá. Rất cảm ơn anh đã mang đàn tranh VN vươn ra thế giới cho bạn bè 5 châu đều biết.
Cam ơn bạn! Thành Lộc nghệ sĩ đây hả? Rất ham mộ!
@@tringuyenmusic888 dạ không e không phải nghệ sĩ. Nhưng e cũng đam mê đàn tranh, e cũng đang luyện tập đàn tranh mỗi ngày.
Oh!!!
Amazing !!!!!
will ep 2 ever come
Thank you for this video. Where can I purchase a Vietnamese Dan Tranh?
Thanks Rachel. If you're in the US, youc an order one here: www.soundofasia.com/
Happy new year of the Cta!!
BASS player here, saw one in Canada for 60 CAD.
Thank you for the information, very instructionnal.
Hi Bertrand.40 CAD is a good deal (if the dan-tranh is in good shape)! Thanks for your kind words. I'll have to do more but with the tours, lessons to give, compo work, I keep being unable to find the time, but I'll do my best!
BASS player here, 60CAD is good, fifnt see one for 3oocad or less, do one video in a while, more content, not more empty videos, like some......
May you present me some video you play with Zither, I would love to show you to my new friends in S.A that they may have more knowledge of Vietnamese Music Instruments.
Many thanks, Tri Nguyen!!!
Thank you Giang for your kind words. Here are some of my videos on the dan-tranh :
th-cam.com/video/jz_0TsMPEKI/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/80U42YRNQn4/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/2skmYT0QqBc/w-d-xo.html
You can listen to more here : open.spotify.com/artist/5svAezhgWghJK0KaFgcf0J
Hope you and friends will enjoy it!
Thanks very much, that was really informative! A great ethnomusicological lesson - I've been taking notes. :)
I am very familiar with the guzheng, koto and gayageum, and it was great to hear your explanations and hear differences in sound, etc.
Onwards to the next lesson...
Thanks Diz. It means a lot to me. So very late for the next episodes. But I'll have to kick myself in the b--- and get the second episode out there!
Thank you so much for this video! Would you believe it? I just found a đàn tranh... on clearance... at a thrift store... in Guatemala City!! It's less than $200 USD!!! And everything is there along with extra strings, finger picks, a soft case, and instructional books (although in Vietnamese!). I'm from the U.S. but live here for work and have wanted a zither (guzheng or koto or đàn tranh) for YEARS! They call it a "Chinese harp" on the website but I knew it looked slightly different from the guzheng and after some research stumbled on your videos. As soon as I get it delivered, I will be back to learn from you! I left my cello in the U.S. so it will be great to have a new instrument to learn. Thank you so much!!!
just wondering how long for an average person with no music background to learn to play
It depends on how much time you can spare to practice every day. For some, it could just take a few months to play something nice.
Thank you so much for this!
Thank you so much! This video is exactly what I have been looking for and I eagerly await your next videos!
Thank YOU so much Janessa!!! Wheww! Those a such kind words and an artist needs that! Shre the video, make it a buzz! The dan tranh and I would be SO grateful!! Thank you again! Next ep. soon!
Hey Tri, I’m very interested in learning the Dan Tranh. But I’m having trouble trying to find a good place to purchase one and I’m not sure what the right price you think it is good for in USD. Would you know any good places to buy one online? Or any other options?
Much love, I really enjoy your content and your music. Thank you for making this video!
Hi there. Here's a website you can find dan tranh's for sale: www.soundofasia.com/dantranh.html
With the current world situation, they may have some problems getting supplies, but maybe just try your luck!
Hope you'll find what you're looking for and keep me posted!
Happy New Year :)
Tri
Thú vị quá.
Bao giờ thì có video part 2 vậy chú
Je vois que vous êtes à Paris. Moi aussi. Donc je veux bien écouter votre musique en vrai. Comment je pourrais suivre les informations de vos concerts ?
Merci beaucoup !
I want to see play not to see you talk.
Then you should try to take some time to search around for other videos and not watch this one. That was a very rude comment, Jimmy. Have a nice day in any case.
Does Mongolia have their own zither as well?
@Nhật Duy Nguyễn Thanks for replying Duy!
Many thanks for the nice explanation, very personable. Well played Sir!
Thank you Michael! Glad you liked it! Will have to find the time to do more...on lockdown but so many things to finish!
@@tringuyenmusic888 you are welcome Tri Nguyen. I built 3d models of the koto / wagon / guzheng / guqin / gayageum ... and the Dan tranh to find out where the koto came from. Super presented the Dan tranh, the info helped me a lot. Since I build zither instruments in 3D I am always also interested in the back or bottom, maybe you will think about it when you make another video. you can see the koto video with the Dan tranh on my channel and the Dan tranh 3d model on my Artstation page (link at my Channel banner). Stay healthy, nice channel.
@@michaelsmusicinstruments9980 ... sorry for the late reply, confinement times but I had so much to do. I just watched one of your videos (KOKO part 2/2). It's amazing!!! Beautiful work! I'll take a picture of the dan-tranh on all sides and send them over to you if you want. I have a 150-year-old antique dan-tranh that I could show you too. Please leave me a message via my website www.tringuyen.fr/en/1461-2/ and i'll do my best.
BTW, I listened to the music for the dan-tranh part, it's with modern playing techniques that are a bit "mixed". As I said in my video, I'm very old school so I still use the ancient technique my master taught me. Maybe a topic we would discuss if you're interested. Stay safe!
Thank you, this is wonderful!
Thank you Yardley!
Will you be making a 2nd episode? :)
Hi Bao LInh. Arghhh, I'm SO late! It's been hectic, traveling all the time, but yes! I'll try to wrap up Episode 2 end of July!
Really beautiful Instrument ❤
Thanks so much Vitaliy!
Cảm ơn a đã giới thiệu cho bạn bè thế giới về cây đàn tranh Việt Nam
Cám ơn Long ủng hộ !
Thank you for this video! Is there any way you could do a video on how to restring or place the bridges? There isn’t much available online yet for those of us without access to teachers.
I'll have to do that! Very good idea. So so busy these days. I hope you guys will forgive me! Thanks a heap again Bonnie.
Hi Tri!
I loved this episode! Are you going to make more of these? I am looking to learn how to play the Dan Tranh (:
Hi Tyler! Sorry for the late reply. Hectic with the release of my next album scheduled for next February.... Thanks so much for your kind words. Yes, it's in my "to do" list, so I'll do my best for the next episodes! You can write to me via my website if you need more info about the dan-tranh :) www.tringuyen.fr/en/1461-2/
Do you teach? If so where are you located !!!
Sorry late reply! I live in Paris, France. yes I have students around the world via Skype. Feel free to message me via my website www.tringuyen.fr/en/1461-2/ . Thank you :)
@@tringuyenmusic888 Thank you so much I will look into it !
Can't wait for the second and many many episodes after.
Oh my! I just got one and this was very helpful! Please post more lessons, I would appreciate such guidance.
Thank you Vy! It's been so so hectic I'm LATE posting more videos! But it's a promise, I WILL very soon! Thanks so much for your kind words and encouragements. More coming soon and good luck with your new dan tranh. That's awesome!!
Thanks, this is great! I shared te video around the company, so all of us can become a bit more familiar with this beautiful instrument! :)
Thanks so much again Diz! This really means a lot to me, and helps getting the dan tranh out there!
Thank you for this. It's difficult to find quality đàn tranh lessons or teachers. Hopefully you have time for a second lesson. :) Cám ơn nhiều. Please pardon my poor Vietnamese.
Thank you An. No sweat, the spelling was perfect! So glad you liked the video. i'll have to find time to do more!!
@@tringuyenmusic888 That would be amazing! Thanks again. :)
hello, i look forward to episode 2. i want to learn the dan tranh, i wish i had learned it as a child but there's no better time than now ♥
Arghhh I really have to find the time! But so many projects simultaneously these days, I work round the clock! Thank so much for your comments. yay, no better time than now, it's never too late for music!
Is the music hard to find and does it look like traditionally written music? I'm seriously considering buying one, and I want a good quality instrument.
Nowadays, scores have been westernized and use the usual notations... though universal and easier for the players, one loses the essence of the ancestral philosophy behind traditional music. I myself still use the old notation, but may be one the last.
I don't know where you're based, but perhaps you can find instruments for sale online: www.soundofasia.com/
So sorry for the late reply Arthur. There are two schools (new and old). The new school uses the Western notation, whereas old schools like mine (endangered and nearly extinct) use "words" for the notes with signs to determine the pitch or octave, + underlines for beats. Other factions of the old school use vertical lines for the beats. Hope that helps and I'm sure you'll find a dan-tranh to your taste!
Your great! I have 17 and 22 stringed tranhs. The 17 stringed tranh is like the old southern Chinese guzheng or Taiwanese. The shapes are the same. The Taiwanese one uses thicker strings. I love the older style tranh over the new square front. Best Wishes
Thanks Keth. So nice of you to play the dan tranh. It's really an honor for us. In fact, our traditional dan tranh has only 16 strings, reason why it's also called "thap luc cam", the 17 or 22 stringed ones are modern variations... arghhh I have to get along with EP 2! SO swept off my feet these days, but it's a promise, EP 2 on its way!
Absolutely! New dan tranhs tend to imitate other zithers, which is sort of a shame. The real ones actually have only 16 strings, even the 17 stringed ones are not entirely "loyal" to the other ancient term used to call a dan tranh : dan thap luc (thap luc means 16).
Thanks for the comment Duncan! I'll have to come up with ep 2 soon!
Cheers, Tri
thank you for your knowledge Looking forward to your next lesson
Thank you Lien. Coming soon. So so hectic these days with the release of my single, then the album... But will try my best to make it soon! Thanks again for your support and interest
Is it possible to play minor scale composition in guozang and Dan tan?
Hi. Sorry for the late reply. In fact, I cannot answer for the Guzheng, which is the ancestor of the Dan Tranh, but over the centuries, Vietnam has developed an entirely different music system. To my knowledge, even though we both use pentatonic scales, the only scale we both have in common is the Zi scale for the Chinese and the Northern School (Bac) scale for the Vietnamese (G-A-C-D-E).
However, the notion of major or minor scales does not exist in our system.
Often in the west, if I may put it extremely "simply", major scales evoke bright and merry sentiments, whereas minor scales more melancholic and shadowy moods. We have those notions in Vietnam, and these are expressed but what we call a spring"hoi" (breath) = joyful, or a "hoi ai, hoi oan" = sad, sorrowful "breath". These are determined by the scales used or the treatment of the strings, especially with the left hand which modulates the sound of the plucked strings.
Hope I answered your question and thanks a heap for your interest :)
Tri Nguyen thanks for the reply...yes u have answered my question...thank u soo much ❤️ 🙏
In fact, the two principles are similar, through the movement of the object on the string determines the fixed sound high, so the natural minor can be directly tuned out.
I agree, we can tune the strings in whatever way possible, but we just don't use the notion of major or minor scales :)
Mais... Où est l'épisode 2 :p
Arghhhh! Ca arrive, mais mea culpa mea maxi culpa! Je passe mon temps à voyager et n'ai pas eu le temps. Mais cet été pour sûr! Merci pour votre patience et votre soutien tout le monde!
Great video thanks. I have been given a Dan Tranh that needs restoration. I am having trouble sourcing strings - I live in New Zealand so can't buy a set easily. Do you know the thickness of the strings I need to buy? Most of the strings on it are .18mm thick but they are breaking as I try to tune it. Cheers.
Hi Jenny, sorry for the late reply, I was in NYC for an award ceremony, just got back home in France! Really glad you liked the video, i'll have to move on to the next episode!
In fact the only place where I buy my strings is in Vietnam, I don't even know where I could find any in France, and the strings are numbered (1-4 etc.). I just choose them depending on the size of the dan tranh, and what sound I need.
Is your dan tranh 16 stringed or more ( the "real" dan tranh has only 16 strings, the rest are "adaptations" and I really don't like the idea ... personnally)?
What you can do send me a message via my website, I'll give you the address of the dan tranh store I go to every time I'm in Vietnam. They could send them over via postal (the strings are really light and can be sent via regular mail in an envelop).
Hope this helps! Cheers.
Tri
Hey, Jenny. I’m a Vietnamese zither pro muso in Aotearoa. If you need any support with the zither please contact me. Look forward to hearing from you. Julie
So nice to meet you too dear Ms. Fam. So sorry I haven't had the chance to introduce myself to such a prominent pro muso as you. Thank you so much for your support :)
Tri Nguyen My pleasure dear Mr. Tri Nguyen. I always inspired by your music, hopefully we can make it a jam in New Zealand one day. Have a great day
Oups I think I missed something here. Never got your message! So sorry :(
The Dan Tranh sounds a good deal brighter than either the guzheng or koto. Does it use metal strings?
Sorry for the late reply Alex. Yes it does! Steel strings!
@@tringuyenmusic888 I'm intrigued already. Perhaps a dan tranh will be my next addition to my Asian zither collection :)
@@tringuyenmusic888 (which...currently consists of one (1) guzheng i got from amazon lol)
I am glad to see that you play the old school style tranh. I do not like the newer style with the square front. The old style has a higher pitch and sounds more emotional. They used to play this style in Hong Kong and Taiwan. The strings were just thicker. I really like you style. Best Wishes
Wow thank you Robert. You can listen to my playing on Spotify for example. Key words, well, my name! I do crossovers with my ancient style ...
Ur amazing
Hi, I have your cd and I really enjoy it and you! Do you prefer the traditional tranh or the newer square front ones. ? The traditional are higher pitched. Also what are your thoughts on the larger tranhs with many more strings? Best Wishes
hey Robert. Cool that you have one of my Cds! Which one do you have?
To answer your question, for sure, I prefer the traditional dan tranh's. Question of authenticity (I'm very old school). To make a long story short, the traditional dan tranh has this authentic sound that characterizes it and differentiates it from all other zithers (+ the playing techniques), whereas more recent "re-visited" versions try to imitate the Guzheng and thus loose the specific recognizable high pitched sound of the dan tranh. Modern players also use techniques that are borrowed from the Chinese school (tremolos for ex. that ancient musicians never use, we "treat" the strings differently).
As for the larger dan tranh's with more strings, the goal is to play more notes and treat it as if it were a piano. So... might as well play the piano then! The violin for example has usable notes of around 3 octaves, like the traditional dan tranh. Imagine a "re-visited" violin that one would stretch to the ranges of the viola and the cello?
Everything resides in HOW one can use the infinite possibilities of the dan-tranh, restructuring it could lead to the distortion of the philosophy that lies behind each note.
To make something new, the past has to be perfect.
This is, of course, my personal opinion.
Hope I answered your questions! Thanks again Robert for your interest in the dan tranh!