The gentle sound of the flute

QTO - There are sounds that, each time I hear them, awaken an entire realm of memories. For me, that's the sound of the flute. Not as melodious and captivating as the zither, or the clear, resonant tone of the moon lute; the gentle, melodious sound of the flute subtly weaves its way through, delicate yet enduring, like a red thread embroidering the image of my homeland.

1. I still vividly remember those sunny summer days with the neighborhood kids, going to the banyan tree in the village fields to play card games. Unlike my friends, my "sneaking away from my mother to play" was just an excuse; what truly drew me to the countryside was the sound of the bamboo flute. There were days when the hot, dry Lao wind blew fiercely, scorching my face, yet just hearing the familiar sound of the flute calmed everything down, and my heart felt light and carefree.

As I grew a little older, I also started learning to play the flute and followed the other buffalo-herding children to the fields. In the vast expanse of the sky and earth, riding leisurely on the backs of buffaloes, the sun-scorched, tanned boys would passionately play their flutes. The melodious sounds, sometimes low, sometimes high, soared and spread, weaving a peaceful, pure melody.

2. On the surface, the flute seems simple, just a small bamboo tube with holes drilled in it. But transforming an inanimate object into a "living being" that can "speak" requires a meticulous process. To make a flute, one must select straight bamboo or reed stalks, polish the surface, clean the nodes inside, and then carefully drill the blowing hole and the tuning hole…

Making a flute with a good sound is difficult enough; playing it beautifully, with its characteristic nuances and nuances, is a process of arduous training. The artist uses not only their breath but also their talent and pours their heart and soul into creating melodious tunes that captivate and move the listener.

Van Kieu people playing the A mam flute - Photo: Nh.V

3. In the harsh, sun-drenched land of Quang Tri – where folk melodies still resonate in daily life – the bamboo flute has long become a familiar and comforting sound. In humble homes, there are always people quietly preserving the essence of tradition, like Mr. Duong Van Lien in Truong Phu commune.

With the soul of a genuine artist, he dedicated his life to cherishing and breathing life into traditional Vietnamese musical instruments. Although he experienced and was familiar with many instruments such as the zither, the bầu lute, and the nguyệt lute, the bamboo flute remained the most special and intimate sound for him.

For this multi-talented artist, the flute is not simply a musical instrument, but like a silent friend, always present in every aspect of his life. The flute accompanies him into the forest to find medicinal herbs, travels with him on long journeys, and is with him on stage during times of joy and sorrow. What impressed me most is that he also handcrafts each flute for himself. Each flute is the result of a long process of meticulous care and attention to detail, a culmination of diligence and enduring love.

The sound of the flute, when played through his breath, thus takes on many nuances. Sometimes it is slow and gentle; sometimes it is rapid and urgent; and sometimes it sounds like a heartfelt confession, a soft whisper… Listeners recognize in these sounds not only the melody, but also the faint reflection of a life deeply connected to the land and homeland with all sincerity and simplicity.

Many people from Quang Tri province, even those who have ventured to the city to build their lives, still carry their flutes with them, as if preserving something very special from their homeland. My neighbor is one such person. Every year, during Tet (Lunar New Year) or ancestral commemoration days, he returns home, and his flute is an indispensable part of his repertoire. During family gatherings and celebrations, his flute produces clear, soaring melodies. And then, from that same flute, on the day he bid farewell to his father, the mournful, heart-wrenching sounds resonated.

It seems that all the joys and sorrows of life find refuge in the breath and hands of the artist. And so, the flute becomes a tool for people to tell timeless stories about the land and its people.

4. While the bamboo flutes of the lowlands possess an elegant charm, venturing into the western forests of Quang Tri reveals a peculiar and captivating type of flute played by the Van Kieu and Pa Ko ethnic groups: the A mam flute. The A mam is not only a musical instrument but also a symbol of love and connection.

The unique feature of the A mam flute is that it requires two people to play: one produces the sound, and the other creates the melody. Only when two souls are in harmony can they create blended, soaring sounds. Perhaps that is why, for a long time, the sound of the flute has been a way for people to express their longing and affection during "going sim" gatherings and moonlit dates in the mountainous regions.

I once heard stories about Van Kieu couples who, from their youth, met through the sound of the flute, and even when their hair turned white, they still played the flute together as they did in the beginning. Through countless moonlit nights, that sound remained clear and enduring, just like the love they shared for each other—quiet yet strong.

On occasions such as the harvest festival or weddings in the village, the A mam chant is sung, not only to celebrate but also as a prayer for a bountiful harvest, peace in the village, and a stronger, more passionate love.

On the surface, the A mam flute has a simple structure that seems anyone could make. However, creating a complete flute is a story of experience and finesse. The flute is made from branches of the "duong" tree, a species belonging to the bamboo family. Even the selection of raw materials requires careful attention. The wood must not be too old, as it will be dry and hard; nor can it be too young, as it will be porous and easily damaged. These choices show that the people of the highlands are not just making musical instruments, but are also engaging in dialogue with nature, listening to and following the rhythm of the mountains and forests.

Thinking about the spiritual life of the people in the mountainous region, I suddenly remembered the lyrics of musician Nguyen Van Sy's song "The Sound of A Mam's Flute": "On the high hill, amidst the rolling clouds and mountains. When the sim fruit season comes, listen to the sound of A Mam's flute. The sound of the flute by the stream, the sound of the flute on the high hill. Spreading amidst the moonlight. The sound of the flute sharing the same breath, the sound of your flute and mine... the sound of love."

It's not just a melody, but a painting that opens up a dreamy space of the magical moonlit season, where the sound of the A mam flute blends with the wind, the sound of the flowing stream, echoing on the high hills, seeping into every rock face, and connecting souls closer together. And perhaps, in that place, the sound of the flute is not just for listening, but also a part of love and connection in community life.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of life, the clear, gentle sound of a flute can soothe the heart. For many, the sound of the flute is like a delicate yet strong thread, silently holding onto their roots. No matter how far they travel, hearing that sound again brings to mind the ever-present, close and familiar feeling of home.

Nh.V

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/van-hoa/202604/dat-diu-tieng-sao-3a21463/