Thursday, September 18, 2014

Good Vibrations

Music master Nguyen Vinh Bao Music master Nguyen Vinh Bao


Southern amateur music, a musical genre unique to southern Vietnam, recently received “Intangible Cultural Heritage” certification from UNESCO. Below is the Nguyen Vinh Bao ensemble



Researchers are unsure about the exact origins of Southern amateur music. Some believe that in the late 19th century, immigrants from Central Vietnam moved southward, bringing Hue-style music to the South. As they passed on their musical heritage it blended with southern music styles to form a musical genre that came to be known as “Southern amateur music": Famed composers in this style include Mr. Nguyen Tong Trieu (Tu Trieu), Mr. Tran Quang Dieu (Nam Dieu), Mr. Nhac Khi, Mr. Cao Van Lau (Sau Lau), Mr. Tran Quang Quon (Ky Quon) and 1\1;r. Nguyen Quang Dai (also known as Ba Doi, once a Hue royal musician).


SIMPLE, YET FLOWERY REPERTOIRES

In its early stages of evolution, amateur musicians played to satisfy their own passions rather than to earn a living. The term “amateur” was applied to set them apart from “professional” musicians who were formally trained. However, some researchers claim that “amateur” referred to those with great musical skill who refused to earn their living through music. To be accomplished in this genre is not easy. A Southern amateur musician must be adept at 20 difficult pieces. These 20 pieces include: Three South (Nam Xuan, Nam Ai, Nam Dao), six North (Luu Thuy, Phu Luc, Binh Ban, Xuan Tinh, Xi Shi, Ancient Music), Four Laments (Four grand lamentations, Attending phoenixes, Jiangnan, Attending pheasants) and seven ceremonial pieces (Xang Xe, Upper Five Parallels, Lower Five Parallels, Long Dang, Long Ngam, Van

Gia, Tieu Khuc).


Musicians must also be able to perform improvised adaptations of these original pieces. The philosophy is summed up as “learn simple, play exuberant”. Repertoires must be


authentic and proper yet rich and playful. Listeners judge the musician based on word arrangements, finger positioning, rhyming and interludes. The creativity of ancient artists carved their names in people’s minds. Famous names include Sau Tung, Nam Co, Ba Tu, Hai Bieu, Vinh Bao, Chin Ky, Tu Nghi, Bay Ham, Sau Quy, Tu Huyen, Chin Trich, etc.


Doncataitu1


INSPIRING AMBIENCE

Amateur music is a typical form of entertainment in South Vietnam. An amateur music performance may take place among friends following a day of farming, during the Tet holidays, or sometimes at weddings, funerals, first birthdays or first-month ceremonies. The players may come from a band from the same village or else they play in different bands hailing from different villages. The musicians usually sit on wooden boards or on mats outdoors on a moonlit night. They may also play on small boats or sit on high chairs. The listeners sit nearby to enjoy the performance and observe the musicians. Improvisation is a key feature of an amateur music performance. Amateur musicians are used to following each other’s leads. When one musical instrument raises its sound, another will tone down. Amateur music shows have no predetermined timeframe. Depending on the players’ mood, a show may last for one session or go on all night.

“Though time does fly

Memories will hardly die

Light up the brazier

And recall a lost love…” (Ancient verses)


The music and lyrics blend to create a melancholy feeling. Southern amateur music mixes improvisation with strictly formulated repertoires and creative lyrics that express rich human emotions. This unique form of music is a Southern cultural treasure


The musical instruments used in amateur music A Southern amateur orchestra features a moon­shaped lute, a zither, a spike fiddle and a song lang (an accompanying instrument). Supporting instruments include a pipa lute, a three-stringed lute, a sen lute, a monochord and horizontal and vertical flutes. In the 1930s, sunken fretted guitars, violins and ukuleles were introduced into amateur music. Musicians may form duets, trios or quintets.


Watch video on Can Tho TV about “Don Ca Tai Tu” – Vietnamese



Nguyen Thi Hai Phuong – VietnamCP



Good Vibrations
First post at: Vietnam Culture

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