The first-ever class in xam (ancient folk songs performed by blindbeggars) for primary and junior high school students has opened in thenorthern province of Ninh Binh's Yen Mo district.
The district,where the art form originated, is also the motherland of famed xamartist Ha Thi Cau, who passed away last March at the age of 96. Its 17communes and towns are home to several xam clubs.
Xam singingrequires a drummer and castanet player, as well as musicians playingnhi/co (two-stringed fiddle) and bau (monochord). They all singtogether.
Legend says that the music was created more than 700years ago by royal prince Tran Quoc Dinh, who was mistreated by hisolder brother and had to earn a living by wandering everywhere as ablind beggar. Fortunately, his ability to sing and play instruments madehim famous. He went on to teach other blind people how to sing and playinstruments to earn a living.
"The class is part of a projectaiming to restore and develop the art of xam," Vu Van Cung, head of thedistrict's Culture Department, told Vietnam News. "The class isespecially designed for gifted students. The goal is to create anothergeneration of singers, as most members of the local xam club areelders."
During the class, which will meet twice a week for threemonths, 46 students will learn both new and ancient melodies under thetutelage of local musicians. After they learn to sing, they will learnhow to play folk instruments, which are also used in cheo (traditionalopera).
Beginning students will be taught the three most popular melodies: Xam thap an, Xam tau dien and Xam cho.
Anotherclass for music teachers at local primary and junior high schools willbe opened this September. They will study with professional singers fromNinh Binh Cheo Theatre.
"Xam is a difficult art. It requires notonly a good accent but also breathing and singing skills," said teacherPham Thi Kim Ngan. "If singers don't have good singing skills, theywill sing xam melodies like cheo."
Student Bui Van Thien, 13, has become passionate about the music.
"Atfirst I found it so difficult," he said. "After some lessons, I gotused to it and found it really alluring. I'll try my best to perform onstage someday.-VNA
The district,where the art form originated, is also the motherland of famed xamartist Ha Thi Cau, who passed away last March at the age of 96. Its 17communes and towns are home to several xam clubs.
Xam singingrequires a drummer and castanet player, as well as musicians playingnhi/co (two-stringed fiddle) and bau (monochord). They all singtogether.
Legend says that the music was created more than 700years ago by royal prince Tran Quoc Dinh, who was mistreated by hisolder brother and had to earn a living by wandering everywhere as ablind beggar. Fortunately, his ability to sing and play instruments madehim famous. He went on to teach other blind people how to sing and playinstruments to earn a living.
"The class is part of a projectaiming to restore and develop the art of xam," Vu Van Cung, head of thedistrict's Culture Department, told Vietnam News. "The class isespecially designed for gifted students. The goal is to create anothergeneration of singers, as most members of the local xam club areelders."
During the class, which will meet twice a week for threemonths, 46 students will learn both new and ancient melodies under thetutelage of local musicians. After they learn to sing, they will learnhow to play folk instruments, which are also used in cheo (traditionalopera).
Beginning students will be taught the three most popular melodies: Xam thap an, Xam tau dien and Xam cho.
Anotherclass for music teachers at local primary and junior high schools willbe opened this September. They will study with professional singers fromNinh Binh Cheo Theatre.
"Xam is a difficult art. It requires notonly a good accent but also breathing and singing skills," said teacherPham Thi Kim Ngan. "If singers don't have good singing skills, theywill sing xam melodies like cheo."
Student Bui Van Thien, 13, has become passionate about the music.
"Atfirst I found it so difficult," he said. "After some lessons, I gotused to it and found it really alluring. I'll try my best to perform onstage someday.-VNA
