Thai musical instruments

Originally asked on 03/09/2007:

i would like to gather info about both vietnam musical instruments where one I was told is a fiddle.they are don bau and don gao. THANK YOU.

Thank you for using ASK!

The Dan Bau or Ðàn bau is a string instrument of the plucking variety. There is only one string which when plucked produces notes in a tonal range up to 3 octaves. It is commonly made of wood or bamboo.
You can read more about the instrument via the following links:
- http://www.dantranh.com/danbau.html
- http://www.vnstyle.vdc.com.vn/vim/english/music_instument/chordophone_Bau_monocord.html
- http://www.viettouch.com/vnmusic/vietnam_music_instruments.html

The Dan Gao or Ðàn gáo is a string instrument of the bowing variety. It has two strings and you are not wrong to say it is similar to a fiddle. This instrument is made of wood or bamboo for its bridge and coconut shell for its resonator.
You can read more about the instrument via the following links:
- http://www.vnstyle.vdc.com.vn/vim/english/music_instument/chordophone_Ho_fiddle.html
- http://www.viettouch.com/vnmusic/vietnam_music_instruments.html
- http://dantranh.com/dannhi.html

(all above sites last accessed 04 Sept, 2007. For the above weblinks, you are advised to please click through to the respective site's main page to read their Terms & Conditions for use of the site before continuing.)

You may refer to the following titles available at our Public Libraries for further reading.

Title Musical instruments / by Judy L. Hasday.
Author Hasday, Judy L., 1957-
Publisher Philadelphia : Chelsea House Publishers, 1999.
Call number: J 784.19 HAS

Title Musical instruments around the world / Meryl Doney.
Author Doney, Meryl, 1942-
Publisher London : Franklin Watts, 2002.
Call number: J 784.19 DON

Title Musical instruments around the world / Godfrey Hall.
Author Hall, Godfrey.
Publisher Hove : Wayland, c1995.
Call number: J 784.19 HAL

You can check availability of the above titles via our online catalogue http://vistaweb.nlb.gov.sg

We hope your query has been answered.

Do contact us again if further assistance is required.

I have recieve an email from my friend telling me that the planet Mars will be at its closes to earth in this Aug to Sep. Is it true? (via Stomp)

Thank you for your enquiry. This phenomenon of close encounters between Earth and Mars is what astronomers call "perihelic oppositions". When this happens, Mars appears 6 times larger and 85 times brighter than it ordinarily does. This last happened on 27 August 2003 and the next time it will occur is in the year 2287.

Every planet orbits the Sun on its own elliptical path. As Earth is closer to the Sun than Mars, its path is shorter and hence it moves around more quickly than Mars (Earth takes 365 days while Mars takes 687 Earth-days). According to space.com, "Earth is catching up with Mars each day, like a race car driver heading into Turn 1 on the inside, preparing to lap a sputtering competitor for the umpteenth time. When the pass occurs, Earth and Mars will be on the same side of the Sun, all three objects lined up in a row..... These orbital points slowly change their directions in space over thousands of years. They are presently evolving toward alignment, so, when they do get nearly aligned and when Mars and Earth pass near the key points at the same time, then a truly close approach occurs. " (Source: http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/mars_orbit_030121-1.html)

You can find out more about this phenomenon at these websites:
(i) "Approaching Mars", from NASA.gov - [http://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/watchtheskies/18jun_approachingmars.html]
(ii) "Mars, Earth Drawing Closer Together", from FOXNews.com - [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,294138,00.html]
(iii) ""Mars Closest to Earth in 50,000 Years", from space.about.com - [http://space.about.com/cs/mars/a/marsclose.htm]
all sites last accessed 04 Sept, 2007.
(For the above weblinks, you are advised to please click through to the respective site's main page to read their Terms & Conditions for use of the site before continuing)

With regards to the email you received, it has been widely documented as a hoax usually sent out every year in the month of August.
Reference: "Mars Close to Earth Email", from space.about.com - [http://space.about.com/library/weekly/blmarsclose.htm], and
"Mars, Earth Closest Approach in Recorded History", from hoax-slayer.com - [http://www.hoax-slayer.com/mars-earth-close.html]

I hope this answer satisfies you. Feel free to email us for further queries.
Thank you for using ASK! service.

Why do MRTs have an extra set of tracks in between the ones used? (via Stomp)

Thank you for your enquiry.

According to the Wikipedia entry on Mass Rapid Transit, the "Ang Mo Kio, Jurong East and Tanah Merah stations were built with a third middle track for off-service trains to stop at before they return to their depots, but the last two are now used as termini for the North South Line and the Changi shuttle, respectively." (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_Rapid_Transit_(Singapore) ) , last accessed 03 Sept '07.

In addition, according to SMRT, the stations with three tracks are interchange stations. For example, Jurong East station has three tracks - one heading towards the north (Marina Bay via Woodlands), one to the east (Pasir Ris) and one to the west (Boon Lay). For the Ang Mo Kio station, it acts as a holding stop for trains which are faulty and hence withdrawn to the Ang Mo Kio train depot.

You may also wish to contact SMRT via their general enquiries hotline 1800-3368 900 for further clarification.

Thank you for using ASK! service.

What does the national anthem mean? (via Stomp)

Thank you for your enquiry. Please find the following information for your reference.

(taken from Singapore Infomap at http://www.sg)

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

The national anthem, together with the national flag and the state crest, reflect Singapore's identity as a nation. The anthem echoes the enduring hope and spirit of Singaporeans to make progress. It rallies us together to succeed.

The Origin
The national anthem was written in the wake of nationalism during 1956-57. Its composer, the late Encik Zubir Said, had written it on the basis of two words, "Majulah Singapura" which means "Onward Singapore". It was launched on 3 Dec 1959 together with the national flag and the state crest, at the installation of the new head of state, the Yang di-Pertuan Negara. Upon Singapore's independence in 1965, "Majulah Singapura" was adopted as the republic's national anthem.

Its Meaning and Lyrics
The national anthem was originally written in Malay. The lyrics are provided as follows.

MAJULAH SINGAPURA
Mari kita rakyat Singapura
Sama-sama menuju bahagia
Cita-cita kita yang mulia
Berjaya Singapura
Marilah kita bersatu
Dengan semangat yang baru
Semua kita berseru
Majulah Singapura
Majulah Singapura

ONWARD SINGAPORE
(English Translation)
We, the people of Singapore
Together march towards happiness
Our noble aspiration
To make Singapore a success
Let us all unite
In a new spirit
Together we proclaim
Onward Singapore
Onward Singapore

[source: http://www.sg/explore/symbols_anthem.htm], last accessed 03 September 2007.

Thank you for using our ASK! service.

What cause us to wear glasses when we look or use the computer or television for a long period of time

Thank you for using our ASK! service.

You asked what causes us to become short-sighted when we use the computer or television for a long period of time. The short answer to this is because of increased time spent focused on a close object, which causes the eye to get "stuck" in the close-up focus position and can no longer focus on distant objects. Therefore it is not just computers or television that causes short-sightedness but any form of activity that involves focusing the eye on a close object, for example, reading in poor lighting.

You may refer to the following titles available at our Public Libraries for a more in-depth understanding of myopia.

Title Clear vision : childhood myopia, a guide for concerned parents : & myopia lasik surgery, your questions answered / Dr Tony Ho.
Author Ho, Tony, 1958-
Publisher Singapore : I Care Publishing, 2001.
Call number: q617.755 HO -[HEA]

Title A patient's guide to myopia and myopia treatment / [chief author, Gerard Chuah ; contributors, Monica Lim ... et al.].
Author Chuah, Gerard, 1964-
Publisher Singapore : Effective Health Corp., 2004.
Call number: 617.755 CHU -[HEA]

Title 18 steps to myopia control / by Tony Ho.
Author Ho, Tony, 1958-
Other Title Eighteen steps to Myopia control
Publisher Singapore : I Care Pub., c1997.
Call number: 646.726 HO

Title The eye book : a complete guide to eye disorders and health / Gary H. Cassel, Michael D. Billig, Harry G. Randall.
Author Cassel, Gary H., 1953-
Publisher Baltimore, MD : Johns Hopkins University Press, 1998.
Call number: 617.7 CAS -[HEA]

You can check availability of the above titles via our online catalogue http://vistaweb.nlb.gov.sg

We hope your query has been answered.

Do contact us again if further assistance is required.

Ventriloquism in Singapore

Originally asked on 03/09/2007:

Dear Sir/Madam

I have tried to search for 'Ventriloquism' on singapore's yahoo web but the results for it was quite limited. May i know where in singapore do offer 'Ventriloquism' as a course?

Also, what are the special needs oraganisation in singapore besides Dyslexia and Autism? is there any central portal that collates all the information about this area and the relevant organisations' websites?

Thank you very much and have a nice day! =)

Thank you for using our ASK! service.

You enquired on, (i) whether there are any ventriloquism courses available in Singapore, and (ii) special needs organizations in Singapore.

For the first part of your query, we were not able to find any trainers providing ventriloquist training in Singapore. However, we would suggest the following:
(a) Approach any of the leading entertainment companies in Singapore to enquire if they would be willing to take in an apprentice to train;
(b) Make use of the following internet resources:
- http://www.ventriloquism101.com/
- http://www.ehow.com/how_2063606_become-ventriloquist.html
- http://www.ventriloquists.net/ (all sites last accessed 3rd Sept 2007)
NB1: For the above weblinks, you are advised to please click through to the respective site's main page to read their Terms & Conditions for use of the site before continuing
NB2: Do note that NLB is not in any way promoting any of these vendors or in collaboration with them.

(c) Refer to the below book resources, available at our Public Libraries:
Title: Ventriloquism made easy / Kolby King
Author: King, Kolby
Publisher: Mineola, N.Y. : Dover Publications, c1997
Call Number: 793.89 KIN -[REC]
(Copy is only available at library@esplanade and status as of now is not on loan).

Title: Extraordinary jobs in entertainment / Alecia T. Devantier and Carol A. Turkington.
Author: Devantier, Alecia T.
Publisher: New York, N.Y. : Ferguson, c2006.
Call Number: Y 791.023 DEV

You can check availability of the above titles and make reservations via our online catalogue http://vistaweb.nlb.gov.sg


As to the second part of your query, if by "central portal" you mean government organizations, these special needs group would fall under the purview of the Ministry of Community, Youth and Sports. Their website [www.mcys.gov.sg] links to the Disability Portal [www.disability.org.sg] which is jointly run by MCYS and the National Council of Social Services (NCSS).
The official websites for Dyslexia and Autism are [www.das.org.sg] and [www.autism.org.sg].

We hope your queries have been answered. Appreciate if you could fill in the feedback form appended below.

Do contact us again via ASK! if further assistance is required.