Tinh Tau musical lute
It is also called the then lute because it
is played in rituals performed on the occasion of then ceremonies. Its
name describes how it is made: tinh means musical instrument, tau means
gourd. Tinh tau means "lute made with a gourd".
A tinh
tau comprises a sound box made of the dried half of a
gourd shell pierced with sound holes. The sound board is made of light
unvarnished wood and is about 25cm across. The neck is a tapered rod about 80cm
in length, with no frets. The bigger end of the rod goes through the shell of
the gourd; the other end is curved backward. It has small bells attached to it
and two or three pegs for turning. The strings, two or five in number depending
on the ethnic minority using the instrument, are made of silk.
The player rests the neck of the tinh tau on
her thumb and middle finger, and plucks it with her index, either downward or
upward, at times in a quick run. The lute can sound a semi-tone, four
quarter-tone and a three quarter tone because it has no frets. The playing
technique includes vibrato, trills and harmonics.
The tinh tau has a sweet and warm tone. It
plays a major role in then ceremonies and traditional dances. Bass and
soprano instruments are often played together with good effects. Recitals of tinh
tau are well liked at home and abroad.
