Dan Tranh is one of the most popular and romantic musical instruments in
Vietnam and the far east
Dan Tranh
Dan Tranh is one of the most popular and
romantic musical instruments in Vietnam and the Far East. This instrument has
inspired many artists, poets and has been glorified in numerous classical
literatures and even in modern movies.
Dan Tranh (17 to 22 strings) is the smallest yet versatile member of a family of
board-zither-like instruments in the
Far
East that includes instruments such as the Chinese Zheng (21 to 25 strings), the
Japanese Koto (13 strings), the Korean Kayakum (12 Strings) and the Mongolian
Jatga (12 strings).
Dan Tranh Head
As shown in the photos above, a
Dan Tranh has a sound box with one end (the head) slightly wider than the other
end. In a standard modern Dan Tranh, there are 17 strings which are strung
almost parallel from the head end to a series of wooden pegs which can be turned
to provide the tension to the strings. The strings are tuned by a series
of moveable bridges which are set between the tuning pegs and the head.
Tuning Aid, Metal Picks, Plastic Picks
Similar to many great musical instruments, Dan Tranh can be used in solo
performance, song accompaniment,
string ensemble, orchestra or modern band for both traditional and modern music. The instrument, with its beautiful,
cheerful sound that can be heard above the sounds of most modern instruments, is
an excellent choice as an exotic solo or accompaniment instrument in modern music.
Dan Tranh is usually
decorated with beautiful seven-color mother-of-pearl and are frequently used as decorative by
non-musicians.
Click on the buttons at the top of this page to explore
the wonderful artistic world of Dan Tranh.
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