The Vietnamese Dan Tranh – Dramatic Zither of Conflict and Harmony

The Vietnamese Dan Tranh – Dramatic Zither of Conflict and Harmony

The dan tranh (đàn tranh) is a long zither instrument from Vietnam. The instrument has a long history and has played an integral role in preserving and promoting folk traditions in Vietnam, and on a global scale. Although traditionally played in intimate settings, the music of the dan tranh has made its way into popular culture, and is played all around the world today!

The Vietnamese dan tranh, or simply tranh, comes from the same family as the Chinese guzheng, Korean kayagum and ajaeng, Mongolian yatga, Sundanese kacapi, Japanese koto, and the Kazakh jetigen. The tranh is often between 110 and 120cm in length, and is usually played on the lap. The number of strings commonly on the instrument has changed many times over the years (Read more here).

While traditionally a 16-stringed instrument, Master Nguyễn Vĩnh Bảo helped popularize the 17-stringed dan tranh in the 1950s (More on this here). Strings used to be made of silk, then copper, and now a more robust steel string has become the standard (Read more here). Strings are stretched along the length of the top face, with the tuning pegs on the player's left, a fixed bridge on the player's right, and movable bridges an appropriate distance between the two (acting as fine tuners). The string resonates and is plucked between the fixed and movable bridges, while the left hand applies ornamentation between the movable bridges and the pegs (Watch this instructional video to see a demonstration).

Meanwhile, the right hand is used to pluck the strings, usually with two or three fingers (sometimes more in modern compositions). Each of these plucking fingers wears a pick, typically made of ivory, hawksbill, tortoise shell, plastic, brass, steel or inox. Sometimes a bow is employed in the place of a pick, played with the right hand. Meanwhile, the left hand is responsible for ornamentation, such as rung (vibrato), vỗ (tap), nhấn (press), and vuốt (slide). The instrument is very approachable, much like a harp or a piano. A beginner can quickly learn a simple melody by playing the open strings, but it takes many years of careful study to master the tranh. The soulful and elegant quality of the dan tranh is largely a result of the tonal nuance of delicate left hand ornamentation.

There is a meaningful symbolism behind the shape of the instrument, with the curved topside of the tranh representing the heavens, and the flat bottom representing the earth, united in harmony. There is a Confucian symbolism too, with five elements of the pentatonic scale: metal, wood, water, fire, earth. While the Western scale has seven unique notes in an octave: Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti (and Do again in the next octave), the Vietnamese thang ngũ cung (pentatonic scale) has Hò, Xự, Xang, Xê, and Cống (As discussed in this introductory video–SOURCE#2). The most common tuning for a 16-string dan tranh would be as follows, with G in 4 octaves:

G3 | A3 | C4 | D4 | E4 | G4 | A4 | C5 | D5 | E5 | G5 | A5 | C6 | D6 | E6 | G6

 

DAN TRANH HISTORY & FOLK LORE

Some would argue that the Chinese guzheng was the parent of the Asian zither family, inspiring the invention of the dan tranh during one of the Chinese occupations of Vietnam. Others argue that there is a tendency for Confucian scholars to perhaps overstate Chinese influence on Vietnamese innovations (As mentioned here). One thing that everyone can agree on is that these instruments all belong to the same family of chordophones and plucked zithers. While these Asian zithers bear a striking resemblance to one another, different techniques are employed in playing each, making them all unique instruments with distinct musical traditions.

While đàn simply translates to "musical instrument," tranh means "to fight, or struggle for something." This would seem a curious name for such a seemingly peaceful and harmonious instrument... but there is a story here!

Legend has it that the dan tranh used to have 32 strings, and a master musician had two daughters who both loved to play his zither. One day, they fought over it, and the master musician became so frustrated that he split his own instrument in two, to allow both sisters to play at the same time. From that day forth, the dan tranh become a 16-stringed instrument, or đàn thập lục.

Although a bit far-fetched, there may be some truth to this origin story. In the mid-16th century, two Vietnamese political factions caused court music to split into two seperate traditions: Trịnh Lords with hat cua quyen in the north, and Nguyễn Lords with teh nhac Hue in the south. While conflict may have brought about a split in the tranh musical traditions, each one carried on and played a role in preserving folk history.


DIFFERENT MUSICAL TRADITIONS

The dan tranh can be found both in solo performance and larger musical ensembles. The folk traditions around dan tranh in Vietnam are quite strong, and the instrument has a long history of being played in religious rituals, funerals, ceremonies, as well as informal and intimate settings. The dan tranh has long been a favored instrument for accompanying song, poetry, storytelling, and theatrical performances. The tranh can be found in both traditional orchestra and chamber music as well.

Historically, music in Vietnam is seen as an expression of very personal emotion, and music was mostly performed in more intimate settings, rather than large concert halls. Because there are so many distinct musical traditions practiced in Vietnam, contexts in which you find the tranh vary based on regional and ethnic traditions.

In Northern Vietnam, the dan tranh is used to accompany popular opera, or Chèo, which combines storytelling with romantic music and humorous dialogue, often focused on themes of love, resilience, and patriotism.

In Central Vietnam, Hue Royal Court Music, Hue Nhã Nhạc, is performed in festivals, ceremonies, coronations, funerals, and other rituals. This orchestral music includes many instrumental pieces, as well as 126 songs used in different ceremonial settings.

In rural communities of Southern Vietnam, friends and neighbors come together to play music after a long day of hard work. Poetic lyrics and soulful music played on traditional instruments are characteristic of Đờn Ca Tài Tử, popular in southern communities for over a century now. Southern Vietnamese opera, Cải Lương, combines traditional folk songs from the Mekong Delta with this popular folk music played in southern communities, weaving together themes from folklore, history, and literature. This form of musical theatre is more orchestral in nature, with influences from other cultures (French, Roman, Egyptian, and Japanese).

Each of these rich musical traditions celebrate the vibrant cultural heritage and cherished values of different regional communities (Discussed in further detail here). Other instruments frequently played in ensembles with the tranh include the ethereal and haunting monochord (đàn bau), moon-shaped lute (đàn nguyệt / kìm), long-necked lute (đàn đáy), two-stringed fiddle (đàn cò / nhị), pear-shaped lute (đàn tỳ bà), percussion (song loan), bamboo flute (sáo trúc).

In the 19th and 20th centuries, there was a revitalization of cultural tradition in Vietnam, as a reaction against French imperialism. The anti-Western movement during the Nguyen Dynasty helped to re-popularize Confucian stories, symbolism, fables, and aesthetics. Confucians saw music as a scholarly pursuit, and held musicians in high esteem.

Today, the dan tranh is a popular instrument around the world. Although having fewer notes (with a pentatonic scale) may seem limiting, the dan tranh is capable of pitch-bending, allowing for greater versatility. Even Classical pieces composed for Western instruments (like this piece by Schubert) are within reach for the skilled tranh player!

If you're looking for a dan tranh to get started learning, we have both 17-stringed and 19-stringed instruments available in our store and online! 

 

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