4.1 Vietnamese Traditional Music Instruments and Ensembles
4 min read•Last Updated on August 13, 2024
Vietnamese traditional music is a rich tapestry of sounds and styles. From the haunting tones of the đàn bầu to the complex rhythms of gong ensembles, these instruments paint a vivid sonic picture of Vietnam's cultural heritage.
The diverse ensembles reflect Vietnam's history and regional differences. Court music shows Chinese influence, while folk traditions like chèo theater capture local stories. Each style offers a unique window into Vietnamese culture and artistry.
Vietnamese Musical Instruments
String Instruments
Top images from around the web for String Instruments
The đàn bầu is a monochord instrument consisting of a long wooden box with a single metal string stretched between two pegs at each end
Pitch is altered by pressing a flexible rod against the string
The đàn tranh is a 16-string zither played by plucking the strings with picks worn on the fingers
Its strings were originally made of silk but are now commonly made of nylon
The đàn nguyệt, also known as the moon lute, is a two-stringed lute with a circular body and long neck
It is played with a plectrum and commonly used in chamber music and opera
The đàn nhị is a bowed string instrument with two silk strings and a small resonating box covered with snake skin
Pitch is changed by pressing the strings against the neck with the fingers
Wind and Percussion Instruments
The sáo is a small transverse bamboo flute that is a principal instrument in chèo theater
It has a clear, high-pitched sound
The đáy tam thập lục is a 36-string hammered dulcimer played with two bamboo sticks
Its strings are arranged in groups of three over a trapezoidal sounding board
Structure of Ensembles
Chamber and Court Ensembles
Ca trù ensembles feature female vocalists accompanied by đàn đáy lute, clappers, and praise drum
The vocalist sings poetry while accompanied by the instruments in a complex musical structure
Nhã nhạc court music ensembles are based on Chinese yayue and include a variety of string, wind and percussion instruments
Ensembles are divided into a "civil" group with strings and flutes and a "military" group with oboes and percussion
Theater and Folk Ensembles
Chèo is a form of popular musical theater that incorporates singing and dancing accompanied by an orchestra containing fiddles, lutes, flutes, drums and cymbals
The orchestra accompanies the vocal music and underscores the dramatic action
Cải lương "reformed theater" orchestras blend traditional Vietnamese instruments with Western instruments like violins, guitars and harmonicas
These orchestras accompany the stage action and vocal music
Gong chime ensembles, found in the Central Highlands, contain sets of bossed gongs in various sizes
Different sized gongs have different pitches and timbres
The ensembles commonly include drums, xylophones, horns and flutes
Cultural Significance of Vietnamese Music
Historical Influences and Evolution
Vietnamese musical traditions show centuries of influence from China, including theory, instruments, and ensemble formats
However, Vietnamese music has developed its own unique characteristics and uses
Court music was an essential component of ritual and ceremony in the imperial court
Confucian rituals featured yayue-inspired music ensembles and dance
Village festivals incorporate a variety of folk music traditions passed down for generations
Music is used for worship, celebration, courtship and work songs
Development of Musical Genres
Ca trù emerged as a type of chamber music in the 15th century and was associated with a geisha-like tradition in which women entertained rich and powerful men
It later evolved into a more refined art music genre
Chèo musical theater originated as traveling troupes that would set up in market places to draw crowds
Plays are based on legends, folk stories and satire of social situations
Chèo remains a popular folk art today
Cải lương modern folk opera arose in the early 20th century in the Mekong Delta
Stories revolve around the challenges of modern life
The musical style incorporates both traditional and popular music
Musical Styles in Vietnamese Regions
Northern Vietnam
Northern Vietnamese music tends to be more influenced by Chinese styles and theory
Monophonic textures and anhemitonic pentatonic scales are common
Ornamentation is an important feature
Chèo musical theater from the North uses an orchestra of fiddles and flutes
Ca trù and nhã nhạc ensembles are more prevalent in the cities of the North
Folk music traditions like quan họ "love duet" singing are important in the North
Central and Southern Vietnam
Central Vietnamese music incorporates more polyphonic textures, with gong chime ensembles being a unique musical tradition from this region
Melodies tend to be more conjunct compared to the Northern style
Southern Vietnamese music shows more influence from Champa and Khmer traditions
More syncopation and faster tempos are used
The modes are more varied compared to the Northern pentatonic focus
Cải lương modern folk opera from the South incorporates Western instruments along with the traditional ones
The gong chime ensembles are found in the rural Central Highlands