How the đàn gáo makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the đàn gáo belongs to the lutes: strings run parallel to a soundboard and along a neck – the family of the guitar, violin, sitar and oud.
More broadly it is one of the chordophones (string instruments), where sound comes from vibrating strings, amplified by a resonating body.
Players shape its sound through technique and materials; the resonating body filters the raw vibration, boosting some harmonics and damping others.
From Wikipedia
The đàn gáo (chữ Nôm: 彈𣂋) ("coconut shell fiddle") is a bowed string instrument, a part of the traditional Vietnamese orchestra. It is similar to the đàn hồ. The instrument originated from South Viet Nam, and is used in entertainment contexts. It can be played alone, as part of an orchestra, or to accompany cải lương (Vietnamese folk opera). The instrument’s name can be broken down as “đàn” meaning string instrument, and “gáo” literally translated as an aged coconut shell used as a scooper. The đàn gáo is most closely related to the fiddle in Anglo-American culture, and the yehu and banhu in Chinese culture.
Other lutes
Frequently asked questions
What does a đàn gáo sound like?
As one of the lutes, its sound comes from the way strings run parallel to a soundboard and along a neck.
What type of instrument is the đàn gáo?
It is classified as lutes (Hornbostel–Sachs 321.311).
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q8079915 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Đàn gáo – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Badagnani ( talk ) – CC BY-SA 3.0