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.