Finding the Zither

More and more young people are learning to play the zither (dan tranh).

The Dan Tranh is one of Vietnam's quintessential traditional musical instruments, with its clear, melodious sound, deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture. It was once considered a symbol of gentle beauty, reconnecting with the roots of Vietnamese culture while affirming its unique character amidst the flow of music .

Currently, if one wishes to pursue a professional performing career, those who love the zither can study at the Viet Bac College of Culture and Arts, specializing in Traditional Musical Instrument Performance. However, for young people who simply love the sound of the zither and want to learn to play it as a hobby, finding a place to learn the zither formally in Thai Nguyen is still quite difficult.

Although there are hundreds of art centers operating in Thai Nguyen, the number of establishments offering zither (dan tranh) lessons for beginners, especially those outside of formal education, remains very limited. The number of centers teaching zither is only about 2 to 3.

According to Ms. Ngoc Tuyet, Director of Music Wave Art Center in Phan Dinh Phung ward, one of the few centers offering zither lessons in Thai Nguyen province, incorporating the zither into the curriculum not only helps students become familiar with this unique traditional instrument but also serves as a bridge for them to better understand Vietnamese traditional music.

After two years of studying the zither, Yen Phuong can now confidently perform this traditional Vietnamese musical instrument.

The combination of formal training and a flexible, modern approach has also helped the zither become increasingly accessible and appealing to young people. The inclusion of the zither in the curriculum of art centers in Thai Nguyen not only provides young people with access to traditional music but also opens up learning opportunities for people of all ages.

Pham Yen Phuong, from Group 2, Phan Dinh Phung Ward, who has been pursuing the zither, shared: "I have been studying the zither at the Music Wave Art Center since I was 6 years old. Two years of studying the zither has helped me develop my musical appreciation, cultivate patience and meticulousness, and nurture my love for national culture."

Meanwhile, Nguyen Khanh Linh, a K23 Tourism student at the University of Science (Thai Nguyen University), who has a love for traditional art, sought out artists playing traditional musical instruments from the Thai Nguyen Provincial Ethnic Arts Troupe to learn from them.

Learning to play the zither (dan tranh) is not without its difficulties, but with a desire to master this traditional instrument, Khanh Linh has dedicated three sessions a week to practice. Now, the zither has become a means of mental relaxation, and also a way for Khanh Linh to reconnect with ancient cultural values in modern life. Preserving and promoting the value of the zither requires comprehensive and long-term solutions.

Art training institutions such as the Viet Bac College of Culture and Arts need to continue maintaining and expanding the scale of specialized training in the zither (dan tranh), while strengthening communication to attract young students. It is also necessary to encourage cultural centers, children's centers, and secondary schools to incorporate the zither into extracurricular activities or art education programs.

Organizing competitions, performances, and short-term classes on the zither is also an effective way to create a platform and spread the love of the instrument to the community, especially the younger generation.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202510/tim-ve-dan-tranh-819567b/