Ðàn Gáo

Slightly bigger than the Dan Nhi with hemispherical resonance box made of coconut. Its sweet sonority resembles that of cello. Same holding positions as of Dan Co.

Dan Gao has two strings.

Two-String Fiddle - Ðàn Nhi.

The nhi is popular among several ethnic groups in Vietnam. Dan Nhi is also refered to as Dan Co (Ðàn Cò) in South Viet Nam. It is a sort of vertical violin with two strings of braided silk, a long handle, fretless, and a pipe-bowl-shaped sound-box covered by a snake skin membrane.

It is capable of great flexibility in range, tone, and dynamics. There are three holding positions: The cornet is presses against the musician's hip as he/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 nhi, with its melodious sounds, can express the subtle mood of a human's soul. Due to its diversified use, the nhi is indispensable in traditional musical orchestras.