How the đàn nhị makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the đàn nhị 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.
Its timbre – the colour that lets you tell it apart from other instruments playing the same note – comes from the mix of overtones its body and resonator emphasise.
From Wikipedia
The đàn nhị, also called đàn cò, is a Vietnamese bowed string instrument with two strings. The word nhị means "two" in Sino-Vietnamese, and đàn means "instrument". Its sound box is generally covered on one end with snakeskin.
Other lutes
Frequently asked questions
What does a đàn nhị 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 nhị?
It is classified as lutes (Hornbostel–Sachs 321.322-71).
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q8079925 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Đàn nhị – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Myra Siason – CC BY-SA 2.0