My own version of the vietnamese dan bau

The dan bau is a one string zither from Vietnam played with harmonics and bends with a unique technique and sound, I explore this idea to create new instruments. There will be other episodes!

More details about the building process on my Patreon page, you can support the channel and get access to my ebook and exclusive content here:

I'm Nicolas Bras, musician and homemade instruments builder, on this channel you will find tutorials, compositions, building projects, improvisations, live concerts

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Music :
Nicolas Bras - Guyane, Homemade (album)
Nicolas Bras - Multisoufflant, Homemade (album)
Nicolas Bras - Tama (unedited)
Nicolas Bras - Multi Dan Bau (unedited)

Sandrine Morais, Nicolas Bras : Video edition

[fromthealiens]

of the 972 instruments you've built, this is one of the 11 coolest-sounding ones!

[samthomas]

That's so awesome. Hope you make even more traditional instruments from other cultures in the future.

[simondanielssonmusic]

Since you have three strings in your design, you could make use of that with some music theory and the harmonic overtone series.
Tuning the strings to A, C# and E you could get an A major scale, but with all those sweet added extensions and non-diatonic notes that the overtone series give you.
Or perhaps C, E and F# would be cool too. I get that tuning all the strings to the same note is the best thing for your music, since it's very melodic (which I love by the way!), but it would be cool to see this instrument used in a more modal ambient context too!

[dpsoulofmusic]

This is a traditional musical instrument of Vietnam, my homeland. Thank you for your interest in it

[broshmosh]

I love the new instrument, but just need to say how awesome that tin-can air bongo is amazing. Such a clear tone from it.

[ScrapwoodCity]

Really cool instrument! The electric version sounds like doing dive bombs with a floyd rose bridge on a guitar! Which seems pretty logical!

[IsaacKuo]

Another sublime build, with such wonderfully expressive sounds. Overtones. Not just for air any more!

[carlwickman]

I was flipping out when the distortion came in at the ending song. Well done. It is obvious the maddening fun you were having.

[macbird-ltde]

I hereby publicly nominate
Nicholas Bras for a Nobel Prize.
Not sure which category, because this achievement fits several.

[starshot]

Nicolas, you are a massive inspiration to me as a soon to be new instrument inventor. The ease at which you create new instruments truly amazes me. The infinite possibilities of ways to change a sound are just so much fun

[ArtificialTomorrow]

The microtones are amazing on that thing!

[ii]

that distortion is something else, sounds awesome!

[jayslaze]

5:45 damn, this could be intro for a western movie. This instrument sounds so unique...love it :)

[herrvich]

The song at the end is quite impressive. Great distortion.

[simasjoch]

Nicolas, I want you to know that I think what you're doing is really cool! I support you on patreon, simply because I truly wish you to continue creating these obscure diy instruments and showing everyone else how to do the same.

Properly cool stuff

[TheScreamingFrog]

Ever since I was a little kid, I loved making my own instruments DIY.
So I love your content, it feeds my inner child with joy, and inspiration 🎶🌎☮❤

[nguyenvpicipmu]

Holy shit. Some one actually renovate our traditional instrument, with respect! Now why I haven't seen this kind of innovation in our country itself is just beyond me.

[TallPaul]

I think this is the best instrument you have made so far! Love it, thanks for the inspiration!

[romeolz]

Have you heard of the undertone series(as opposed to the overtone series)?
It's a really underrated concept, and I feel like it is underutilized in the world of acoustic instruments

[ysteinberg]

Nice! I do recommend going to Vietnam. It's a fantastic country to travel in. There's lots of excellent musicians there, also lots of less excellent ones, but the two times I went to concerts where they used traditional instruments was awesome. As a guitar builder who's been months in Vietnam this video was exactly what I needed. I recommend going through some of the local guitar shops, I found a great acoustic guitar made in HCMC that's better than any mass produced ones I've ever tried. Only issue was cheap frets, but after refretting it's great. This video got you a new subscriber.