kèn bầu
Definition
- Noun:
- A traditional Vietnamese single-reed wind instrument: A type of ancient Vietnamese oboe with a conical wooden body and a large, bell-shaped brass bell that resembles a gourd ("bầu").
- Characteristic sound: The instrument is known for its loud, resonant, and often melancholic or piercing tone, traditionally used in ceremonial and royal court music.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Âm thanh của kèn bầu nghe rất ai oán. (The sound of the kèn bầu is very mournful.)
- Kèn bầu là một nhạc cụ quan trọng trong Nhã nhạc cung đình Huế. (The kèn bầu is an important instrument in the Hue Royal Court Music.)
- Nghệ nhân đang thổi kèn bầu. (The artisan is playing the kèn bầu.)
Advanced Usage
- The is a defining instrument of traditional Vietnamese funeral music, where its distinctive sound expresses grief and lament.
- Tiếng kèn bầu vang lên trong đám tang. (The sound of the kèn bầu rose during the funeral.)
Variants and Related Words
- Kèn (n): A general term for horn, trumpet, or reed instruments.
- Nhạc cụ hơi (n): Wind instrument.
Synonyms
- Vietnamese oboe: A descriptive term in English, though it specifies the Vietnamese type.
- Reed instrument: A general category it belongs to.
Cultural Note
- The is an integral part of Vietnam's intangible cultural heritage, specifically associated with the UNESCO-recognized "Nhã nhạc" (Hue Royal Court Music). Its unique construction and sound are not directly equivalent to any common Western instrument.