What is dan bau?

Dan Bau is a traditional Vietnamese musical instrument that is played using a bamboo tube attached to a resonator. It is considered to be one of the most iconic and unique instruments in Vietnamese music. The dan bau produces a haunting and ethereal sound that is often used in traditional music performances, as well as contemporary fusion music.

The instrument is known for its ability to produce a wide range of tones and pitches, achieved by manipulating the bamboo tube with the player's hand while plucking the string. Its sound is often described as melancholic, serene, and captivating.

The dan bau has a long history in Vietnamese culture and is believed to have been invented in the 9th century. It is commonly used in traditional Vietnamese music genres such as nhạc cổ truyền (classical music) and nhạc dân tộc cải biên (folk music adaptation).

Today, the dan bau continues to be popular in Vietnamese music and is also used in contemporary music genres, including jazz, world music, and experimental music. It has gained recognition internationally and has been featured in various music compositions and performances worldwide.