Vietnamese traditional music has been introduced to 27 students atTaiwan University of Arts by Pham Thi Hue, who is a player, singer,composer and educator of traditional musical instruments including danbau (monochord) and dan day (four-chord lute with rectangular resonancebox).
She is also the founder and owner of the ThangLong Ca Tru Theatre in Hanoi and has become a leading exponent inthe revival of “ca tru” (ceremonial singing) throughout Vietnam .
During her three-week stay in Taiwan , she is helping prepareTaiwan artists for a performance of Vietnamese traditional music.
Since early this month, Hue has been teaching “nha nhac” ( Hueroyal court music), “cheo” (popular drama), “ca Hue ” ( Huetraditional singing), and “cai luong” (renovated music).
The 40-year-old artist has also taught the art of playing the “ty ba” in the early traditional way.
In mainland China and Taiwan , the early way of playing “ty ba”(pipa in Chinese) has been lost. In the early 20th century, Chinachanged the frets of the pipa to make it similar to the guitar, so itcould be played more easily in an orchestra.
The Vietnam 's National Music Academy also modernised the “ty ba” and changed the playing technique.
About 20 years ago, Hue met researcher Bui Trong Hien whoencouraged her to learn the traditional techniques of playing “ty ba”from artisans.
"At that time, I thought I might goto China to teach the technique of playing the old pipa that Chinesepeople had lost," Hue recalls. Twenty years later, her goal hasbeen realised in Taiwan .
“Ty ba” was mainly used in royal court orchestras and is now rarely seen in popular musical bands.
Before going to Taiwan , Hue presented “ca tru” to 12 primaryschools and high schools in Cleveland City , Ohio , for threemonths.
She was invited by the not-for-profit YoungAudiences Association, which she got to know through Indonesian artistJen Shyu, who had learned “ca tru” in Vietnam .
Every year, the association invites 12 outstanding artists from all overthe world, working in different fields from stage to fine arts, topresent the culture of their countries to students in Clevelandcity.
She was the first Vietnamese person to take part in the project.
Hue began each class by presenting geographical and historicalcharacteristics of Vietnam . She introduced “ca tru” and performedit.
"The Grade 4 pupils asked questions and watched the performance," Hue said.
"When I asked them if they found the music strange they said no, they could feel immediately its beauty.
"They are very open to new cultural art forms."
She also spent time working with high school students, most of whomhad played at least one instrument or studied an art form.
They brought flute, drums or violins to class and perform with “danday” and Hue taught them how to "feel" the music and play with thesounds.
During her stay in the US , Hue alsofounded a music band named Merging Clouds comprising herself, aBrazilian guitarist, who plays tabla (drums of India ) and an Africansinger and player of drums.
They practised with each other every week and composed new works with sudden inspiration, she said.
The band has begun to look for funds to support it in the US.-VNA
She is also the founder and owner of the ThangLong Ca Tru Theatre in Hanoi and has become a leading exponent inthe revival of “ca tru” (ceremonial singing) throughout Vietnam .
During her three-week stay in Taiwan , she is helping prepareTaiwan artists for a performance of Vietnamese traditional music.
Since early this month, Hue has been teaching “nha nhac” ( Hueroyal court music), “cheo” (popular drama), “ca Hue ” ( Huetraditional singing), and “cai luong” (renovated music).
The 40-year-old artist has also taught the art of playing the “ty ba” in the early traditional way.
In mainland China and Taiwan , the early way of playing “ty ba”(pipa in Chinese) has been lost. In the early 20th century, Chinachanged the frets of the pipa to make it similar to the guitar, so itcould be played more easily in an orchestra.
The Vietnam 's National Music Academy also modernised the “ty ba” and changed the playing technique.
About 20 years ago, Hue met researcher Bui Trong Hien whoencouraged her to learn the traditional techniques of playing “ty ba”from artisans.
"At that time, I thought I might goto China to teach the technique of playing the old pipa that Chinesepeople had lost," Hue recalls. Twenty years later, her goal hasbeen realised in Taiwan .
“Ty ba” was mainly used in royal court orchestras and is now rarely seen in popular musical bands.
Before going to Taiwan , Hue presented “ca tru” to 12 primaryschools and high schools in Cleveland City , Ohio , for threemonths.
She was invited by the not-for-profit YoungAudiences Association, which she got to know through Indonesian artistJen Shyu, who had learned “ca tru” in Vietnam .
Every year, the association invites 12 outstanding artists from all overthe world, working in different fields from stage to fine arts, topresent the culture of their countries to students in Clevelandcity.
She was the first Vietnamese person to take part in the project.
Hue began each class by presenting geographical and historicalcharacteristics of Vietnam . She introduced “ca tru” and performedit.
"The Grade 4 pupils asked questions and watched the performance," Hue said.
"When I asked them if they found the music strange they said no, they could feel immediately its beauty.
"They are very open to new cultural art forms."
She also spent time working with high school students, most of whomhad played at least one instrument or studied an art form.
They brought flute, drums or violins to class and perform with “danday” and Hue taught them how to "feel" the music and play with thesounds.
During her stay in the US , Hue alsofounded a music band named Merging Clouds comprising herself, aBrazilian guitarist, who plays tabla (drums of India ) and an Africansinger and player of drums.
They practised with each other every week and composed new works with sudden inspiration, she said.
The band has begun to look for funds to support it in the US.-VNA
