Dan Nhi Two-string Fiddle

The Dan Nhi is popular among several ethnic groups in Vietnam. It is also referred to as Dan Co in southern provinces of Viet Nam.

The Dan Nhi is somewhat a sort of vertical violin with two strings, held in front of the player like a small cello and played with a bow. In the past, Dan Nhi strings were made from silk, but today Dan Nhi craftsfolk prefer metal. The frets on the neck are made from horse-tail hair, and the body is covered with snake skin. The bow is made of bamboo or wood and fitted with horsehair. The hair goes through the space between the strings.

The sound of the Dan Nhi is said to imitate that of a singer. It can be played in either short staccato notes or longer chords and can be played slow or fast to suit any composition.

The Dan Nhi is capable of great flexibility in range, tone, and dynamics. The sound of the Dan Nhi is said to imitate that of a singer. It can be played in either short staccato notes or longer chords and can be played slow or fast to suit any composition.

There are three holding positions: The cornet is pressed against the musician's hip as he or she walks. The wooden resonant box is held between the musician's knees if sitting on a stool. The cylinder is held between the musician's feet if sitting on the ground.

The two-string fiddle, with its melodious sounds, can express the subtle mood of a human's soul. Due to its diverse use, the Dan Nhi is dispensable in traditional musical orchestras.