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I. Introduction and history of Dan Bau

7. Timbre, volume, and resonance of the instrument

  • Timbre: The sound is pure, soft, warm, resonant, strong, and close to the timbre of the human voice.
            * Volume:
- Acoustic Dan Bau: the sound has a characteristic warmth and timbre, but is pretty quiet and with relatively short sustain. It is more suited for performing in small and quiet spaces. Therefore, the acoustic Dan Bau is very rarely used.
- Electric Dan Bau: this instrument is equipped with electronic devices to amplify the sound. Therefore, the volume can easily be adjusted from very quiet to very loud, so the Dan Bau can easily play with small ensembles or big orchestras without using an additional microphone. The electric Dan Bau also has the advantage that the high overtones sound clearer and it can sustain the sound longer than the acoustic Dan Bau. Therefore, today, artists in Viet Nam mainly play the electric Dan Bau. This is also the instrument being played in the Asia Traditional Orchestra.

  • About the sustain: The electric Dan Bau can sustain the sound quite long, like most other plucked string instruments.