đàn kéo
Definition
- Noun:
- A bowed string instrument: A traditional Vietnamese musical instrument whose sound is produced by drawing a bow across one or more strings. It is a general term for instruments in the fiddle family within Vietnamese music.
- Specific instrument (modern context): Often refers specifically to the đàn gáo or the đàn hồ, which are two-stringed vertical fiddles with a coconut shell or wooden soundbox, commonly used in traditional ensembles like cải lương (reformed theater) and đờn ca tài tử (Southern Vietnamese chamber music).
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Âm thanh của đàn kéo nghe rất cảm động. (The sound of the đàn kéo is very moving.)
- Nghệ sĩ dùng cây vĩ để kéo trên dây đàn kéo. (The musician uses a bow to draw across the strings of the đàn kéo.)
- Đàn kéo là nhạc cụ không thể thiếu trong ban nhạc tài tử. (The đàn kéo is an indispensable instrument in a tài tử ensemble.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "đàn kéo" is a compound noun where "đàn" means "instrument" and "kéo" means "to pull" or "to draw," directly describing the bowing action. It is used in contrast to plucked string instruments () or struck string instruments.
Variants and Related Words
- Đàn gáo (n): A two-stringed fiddle with a soundbox made from a coconut shell covered with snake skin or wood. It is a primary type of .
- Đàn hồ (n): A two-stringed fiddle very similar to the , but with a cylindrical wooden soundbox. It is also a primary type of .
- Vĩ (n): The bow used to play the .
Synonyms
- Bowed fiddle: A general term for string instruments played with a bow.
- String instrument: A broader category of instruments that produce sound from vibrating strings.
Related Idioms
- While there are no common idioms featuring "đàn kéo", its sound is often poetically described in Vietnamese as being able to "nói" (speak) or "khóc" (cry), reflecting its expressive, vocal quality in music.
- Tiếng đàn kéo như đang kể một câu chuyện buồn. (The sound of the đàn kéo is like telling a sad story.)