Traditional Vietnamese Folk Music
Traditional Vietnamese Folk Music
A Vietnamese folk group performs.
Traditional Vietnamese Folk Music
Wide MS of Dr. The (the Director of Operations at Central Hospital in Hue) talking to the camera, introducing a traditional Vietnamese folk group of one woman and four men. He steps away and the group plays an instrumental song. The woman plays a Dan Tranh or Thap Luc 16-21 string zither. The man to her left plays a Dan Sen, a two string 14 key guitar-like instrument. The man behind him plays what looks like an oversized mandolin, except its fretboard travels well into the gourd-shaped body, past the middle point; this instrument is called a Dan Ty Ba. Next to him is a man playing a Dan Nhi or Dan Co, an upright two string fiddle played with a bow. Finally there's the drummer, a fellow tapping on a porcelain and animal skin kettle, somehow getting a plethora of interesting sounds out of it. A jazzy, upbeat number with obvious Chinese and Hindu influences. Very interesting.
Traditional Vietnamese Folk Music
A Vietnamese man and woman introduce the show, bestwo greetings upon their American guests (in attendance). In Vietnamese and English.
Traditional Vietnamese Folk Music
Song number two, apparently a hat dance. A Vietnamese woman in a white dress and straw hat joins the folk band in song. MS of the singer, pan L to MS of two other singers accompanying her (also in dress and hats). It seems that the song and dance is about making straw hats. CUs of the singers' hands as they mimic sewing. MSs of the singers as they take turns leading. A sweet, somewhat droning tune with strong Chinese and, believe it or not, Cambodian musical influences.
Traditional Vietnamese Folk Music
Song number three. MSs of three young Vietnamese women singing and playing Dan Tranh or Thap Luc zithers. They do a fascinating, rhythmic folk song. There's even a break where the drummer, playing a small bronze kettle drum with perhaps porcelain sticks, gets some (he's really good in a completely unconventional way).
Traditional Vietnamese Folk Music
CUs of people peering eagerly through slats of a blue window as Vietnamese man and woman introduce next song. Song number four. Panning MS of the Vietnamese folk group running through a somewhat somber love song sung by a ten year old girl in purple dress and make-up. CUs of the dramatic girl singer. Good MS/CUs of the woman playing the Dan Tranh or Thap Luc zither, the men playing Dan Ty Ba, Dan Sen, Dan Nhi guitars, kettle drum.
Traditional Vietnamese Folk Music
Song number five. MS of a Vietnamese lady in a yellow dress and severe makeup (and big hair) singing a love song; pan R to CU of people looking through the window upon the performance, then zoom out to wide MS of the singer and group.
Traditional Vietnamese Folk Music
Song number six. MS of the lady in red (no jokes, now) playing the Dan Tranh or Thap Luc zither, accompanied by the Dan Ty Ba guitar player. They run through an instrumental that can be best described as half-time river music. Good CUs of their faces and hands as they play. Great stuff. Strong Chinese and Hindu influence.