On September 18, at Bui Thi Xuan High School (HCMC), Ly and Nam tunes rang out when about 150 students were directly guided by artisans in Don ca tai tu for the first time. For many students, this is not only a new lesson but also the first time to get closer to the art form they only knew through television and the Internet.
Dinh Bao Tien, a 11A13 student, said that since she was young, she had heard her grandparents and parents play "don ca tai tu" and "ca co" songs but had never learned or practiced them.
“I feel very touched to experience the beauty of Vietnamese culture through music. I feel the beauty of Vietnamese in the Ly and Ho songs that the teachers guided. The most difficult thing for me is the way of singing in the right rhythm and vibrato like the teachers” - Bao Tien shared.
Not only listening, students are directly trained in breathing, keeping rhythm, raising voice and vibrato. Seemingly simple techniques become challenges for beginners.
For Dinh Hoang Phuc, also a student of class 11A13, Don ca tai tu is not completely unfamiliar. I have heard this type on television but have not had the opportunity to directly interact with artists and artisans. After the class, Phuc said he felt happy, excited and hoped the program would continue so that more students would have the opportunity to learn about it.
To help students not only know the names but also understand how to express each tune, the artisans directly teach. Meritorious Artist Cam Tien guides students to get acquainted with Southern tunes, including Nam Xuan.
According to her, each tune has its own nuances. Nam Xuan has a gentle, cheerful color, suitable for lovemaking and teasing situations; while Nam Ai has a sad tone, often used in lyrical, farewell content.
Students currently have few opportunities to interact with Don ca tai tu. When being taught directly, we are very happy. Through these lessons, students can understand what Don ca tai tu is, how a tune is sung and why each tune has a different way of expression" - Meritorious Artist Cam Tien said.
Bringing artisans into the classroom is a plan that Bui Thi Xuan High School has cherished for many years. Mr. Huynh Thanh Phu - Principal of the school said that he has been concerned about bringing folk art into schools for about 2 years.
From the connection with artists and artisans, the pilot school teaches Don ca tai tu for 3 classes, including 2 grade 11 classes and 1 grade 10 class, with about 150 students. The program is implemented for 35 weeks, 3 periods per week, each period 45 minutes.
The curriculum goes from basic to advanced, helping students get acquainted with Ly, Nam, Bac, Quan, Le tunes, along with 20 To tunes and some supporting tunes. The teaching staff includes 22 artists, artisans and musicians.
According to Dr., Folk Artisan Hoang Tan - Head of the Music Association of the Ho Chi Minh City Theater Association, the first goal is not to train young artisans but to help students have background knowledge and form a love for them.
After the official study period, the school plans to establish the Don ca tai tu Club, creating space for students to continue practicing and expanding for teachers and parents to participate.
From the first Ly songs to how to distinguish each Southern tune, students are getting acquainted with Don ca tai tu with their own experiences. The clumsy songs today may not create an artisan, but open up opportunities for heritage to get closer to the younger generation.
