Toản shared that there was a time when he put his bamboo flute aside, believing he couldn't make a living from that seemingly beautiful sound. Only when he left it behind did he realize that there are values that, if abandoned, can truly cost you more than you gain.
From that experience, Toản's journey of going, stopping, and returning to folk music did not stem from fleeting inspiration, but rather a conscious choice to ensure that the bamboo flute would not be lost in the flow of technology.
Slow flute music amidst the rushing current
Social media is a place where everything is measured by speed. Videos need climaxes, music needs to be catchy, and content must be fast enough to keep viewers engaged. In that scrolling stream, Toản's bamboo flute clips stand out: static camera angles, no fancy effects, just a familiar melody played on a traditional instrument.
It is precisely this slow pace that makes many people pause. Not out of curiosity, but because of the rare sense of peace amidst the noisy digital space.
Toản said he had chosen to put his bamboo flute aside when he realized he couldn't make a living from that seemingly beautiful sound. (Photo: Provided by the artist)
Few people know that behind those simple videos lies a challenging journey. Having been involved with traditional musical instruments since childhood, Toản was almost entirely self-taught through trial and error. At 16, he decided to pursue this path, despite the uncertain future at the time.
TikTok then opened up as a "digital stage," and Toản brought his bamboo flute playing online hoping to find listeners. The channel gradually grew, with some videos reaching 3-4 million views and attracting over 300,000 followers.
However, impressive numbers don't equate to income. "There were times when the channel had over 100,000 followers and high views, but at the end of the month, I still had to carefully calculate every expense," Toản shared. Traditional Vietnamese music, despite its popularity, remains a niche when it comes to making a living.
The pressure was palpable as he watched his peers settle down while he struggled. Pressure also came from his family, as his father only wanted him to have a stable job. Toản tried following trends, covering pop songs to maintain viewership. But the more he did it, the more he realized the mismatch. “ If you follow trends, you might become famous quickly, but it’s very difficult to stay in the long run. If you maintain your own identity, you’re easily left behind ,” he said.
Finally, Toản chose to stop. Without announcement or fanfare, he put his bamboo flute away in a corner, distancing himself from the music that had been a part of his life for so many years.
Returning to go far away
Leaving music, Toản tried other jobs. Life became more stable, but the feeling of emptiness grew stronger. " There were times when I was very tired, but the most tiring thing was living without doing what I loved ," he said. That period of silence helped Toản understand that if he were to return, he would have to take a different path.
This time, Toản isn't following trends but choosing pieces that suit the timbre of the bamboo flute; he's not just performing, but also teaching flute playing, sharing knowledge, and building a community of traditional musical instrument lovers. " I don't need everyone to watch. I just need the audience to stay ," he shared.
For Toản, playing the bamboo flute is no longer a romantic choice, but a profession that is difficult enough, demanding enough, but worthwhile for the long term. Photo: Provided by the artist.
Currently, Toản Bát Âm's TikTok channel has over 328,000 followers. Besides creating content, Toản uses social media to sell bamboo flutes, generating additional income. He has also returned to school, studying traditional Vietnamese musical instruments at the Military University of Culture and Arts to further hone his skills.
Commenting on Toản, Meritorious Artist Lê Vân Mai, Lieutenant Colonel and Head of the Department of Ethnic and Mountain Arts, said: " What is valuable about Toản is not only his skills, but also his mindset that sees a long-term path for traditional musical instruments in the digital space."
Now, Toản doesn't talk much about success. For him, playing the bamboo flute is no longer a romantic choice, but a profession that is difficult enough, demanding enough, but worthwhile for the long term.
In an era where everything moves so fast, there are still young people who choose to stay with the seemingly most fragile sounds so that they don't get lost in the hurried flow of the digital space.
Source: https://congluan.vn/tieng-sao-di-nguoc-dong-trong-khong-gian-so-10323806.html
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