Electric Dan Bau

Dan Bau - This Electric Portable, Foldable and measures 108 cm (42 inches) when extended, and 54 cm (21 inches) when folded half.

Comes with string and good quality soft case with carry strap designed especially for the instrument.

This model is a brand new fold-up model, and is electric-- pick-up assembly pre-installed- (amplifier not included) and is decorated with beautiful pearl shell inlay on the sides depicting various Vietnamese artistic motif's. It comes with a soft black case, that can be carried by handle or shoulder strap. They are all equally beautiful.

How to Play

Playing the Dan Bau is simple but requires a great deal of precision.

The pinky of the right hand gently taps the string at one of seven commonly used nodes while the other fingers pluck the string using a long plectrum. The nodes the pinky taps are the notes of the first seven overtones. So the pinky plays flageolets, similar to what guitar players do at the string positions above the octave (1/2), the perfect fifth (2/3), the perfect fourth (3/4), the just major third (4/5), the just minor third (5/6) and two tones not appearing in the Western scale: the septimal minor third (6/7) and the septimal whole tone (7/8). With the left hand, the player can push the flexible rod towards the instrument using the index finger to lower the pitch of the note, or the player can pull the rod away from the instrument with the thumb to raise the pitch of the note. This technique is used both to play notes not available at a node as well as to add vibrato to any note.

Background to the Dan Bau

It's a one-string zither specifically native to Vietnam. It is constructed of a long narrow sound box, with a tall curved stem made from water buffalo horn inserted at one end.

The single string runs between the sound box and a small wooden gourd (in Vietnamese, it is called "Bau") attached to the stem, or "whammy bar called a niipper (known as "Voi Dan" in Vietnamese).

The stem is bent to change the pitch of the string. The player touches the string lightly with the heel of the hand at harmonic-producing nodal points while plucking with the fingers or plectrum. This produces the dan bau characteristic high clear sound.

Historically the dan bau was played by blind street musicians, and along the streets of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, one can still hear these sweet sounds. Legend has it the dan bau should be solely for the pleasure of its player, or for poetry, and young women are warned not to listen to it. This warning, probably coming from vigilant parents of a by-gone era, wishing to protect their daughters from the emotionally seductive appeal of love songs played on this instrument; this gives an idea of the power and charm of its sound.

We source our instruments personally in their country of origin and ensure the makers are paid well for their craft.

Please note that due to the handmade nature of the product there may be small imperfections as in nature. These (if there are any) merely add to the character and authenticity of the item.

We require payment by paypal. All major credit and debit cards are accepted by paypal (no paypal account necessary).

All our items are posted first class in the UK. We ship all items within 3 working days, usually faster.
We use recycled products where we can. All items are professionally packed.
All items are new unless stated.

We use reputable couriers for overseas shipping

Returns accepted within 30 days. Buyer pays return costs. There is a returns slip included with your item to make the process easier.

Please contact us on the email address provided on the slip if you have any questions.