The Vietnamese pentatonic scale is both very traditional and very... trendy.

The pentatonic scale - Image 1.

In the Thanh La Choir, each individual is encouraged to give themselves the opportunity to sing or play an instrument - Photo: Organizing Committee

This was one of the performances by the Thanh La Choir at their recent debut, a new initiative stemming from previous projects, including the Diverse Choir and the Community Singing with Ukulele project…

Welcome to the Thanh La Choir

The choir was initiated by artist Ha Ny with the wish that every moment people sit together and sing from the heart is a special gift of life.

Truc Vy - Ha Ny's younger sister - named the choir Thanh La. The reason: "La" is the most fundamental sound of the human voice. Whether happy or sad, people can express their emotions by uttering the sound "La" without needing complex words.

Truc Vy further explained that, academically, the note A is the tuning note for many other musical instruments; it is also the perfect point of intersection between male/female and high/low vocal tones.

The note A evokes a feeling of returning to one's inner home in a complete and profound way.

Ha Ny said, "Thanh La doesn't aim for absolute technical perfection, but prioritizes connection and attentiveness." In this, each individual, even though they may sing different parts, still supports and complements each other to create a unified sound.

The pentatonic scale - Image 2.

The performance of "Going to School" by the Thanh La Choir - Photo: Organizing Committee

This breaks down the notion that choral singing is an academic, inaccessible art form; it creates a space for people to love their own voices and appreciate their own presence.

This project is for people in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s, people with disabilities, children, and music lovers. Each individual is encouraged to give themselves the opportunity to sing or play a musical instrument, embodying the spirit that music isn't just for the gifted, but for everyone.

The Five Palaces grew up together with their child.

The Thanh La Choir is just one of the community-oriented activities pursued by sisters Ha Ny (born in 1987) and Truc Vy (1991).

On this occasion, they also released their second album, "Nâng niu" (Cherishing), a collection of pentatonic songs, following their first album, " Ngàn tình yêu cho con" (A Thousand Loves for My Child) .

The pentatonic scale - Image 3.

Piano instructor Truc Vy (left) and artist Ha Ny - Conductor of the Diverse Choir. Both are graduates of the Vietnam National Academy of Music - Photo: Organizing Committee

The new album features 15 songs composed by Ha Ny and Truc Vy, written in the traditional pentatonic scale with modern lyrics. The music focuses on love and gratitude within the family, nature, meaningful moments… dành for everyone, especially children.

Along with that is the music book "A Thousand Loves for My Child - Pentatonic Songs to Grow Up With!" , which includes songs with musical scores and stories from the aforementioned albums vol 1 and 2.

Why the pentatonic scale?

The two authors argue that the pentatonic scale is an integral part of Vietnamese culture, closely associated with the childhood of many people.

One of the most outstanding characteristics of the pentatonic scale is its ability to create harmony. When enjoying or performing this type of music, it helps the mind become calmer and more relaxed, escaping the hustle and bustle of life to perceive everything more slowly and fully.

It's traditional yet also very modern, contemporary, and trendy!

CENTURY BEANS

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ngu-cung-cua-viet-nam-rat-dan-toc-ma-cung-rat-trendy-20260518034112047.htm