Live interview with the Guzheng (Chinese Harp) team, which includes students from Indonesia and Singapore, and also the expert Chinese harp player and artist from Singapore and Vietnam.

The Group in concert consists of:
- 1 Chinese harp player from Singapore, Mr. Thum Soon Boon   (sbthum@yahoo.com.sg)
- 1 Vietnamese harp artist from Vietnam, Ms. Nguyen Thanh
  Thuy (ngthuy164@hn.vnn.vn)
- 1 Western harp artist from Indonesia, Ms. Maya Hasan
- 1 Chinese harp artist from Indonesia, Ms. Eni Agustien
  (eniagustien@hotmail.com)
- 10 Chinese harp students from Singapore (Blue Oceanic
   Guzheng)
- 1 Keyboard player, Mr. Doyo
- 30 Chinese harp players from Indonesia, ranging from 7-
  year-old girl to 60-year-old lady
- 1 traditional Chinese bamboo flautist
- 1 traditional Chinese Er Hu (Chinese violin)
- 1 traditional Chinese Pi Pa (Chinese guitar)
- 1 traditional Chinese Yang Qin (Chinese instrument similar
   to Indonesian bamboo Kolintang)
- 1 Drummer with Singaporean students playing percussions

Ms. Nguyen (Vietnam) shared her Vietnamese Harp with me.

M : Hi Ms. Nguyen (ngthuy164@hn.vnn.vn). My name is Michael, I’m one of the students here and wants to interview you for a several minutes for our SEAMEO competition program. May I have your time..?
Ng : Yes of course.. What question do you want to ask?

M : Ok, let’s start it..! Mm, first of all, I want to ask you, Why can you choose Chinese Harp as you music instruments?
Ng : Mm, it was 20 years ago, When I was kid, maybe about 8 years old, my parents introduced Chinese Harp, or in Vietnam, it is called ‘Dan Tranh’ or Vietnam Zither. And at that time I began to learn it.

M : Why you interest with this traditional instrument?
Ng : Actually In Vietnam this instrument is famous, same like piano, guitar, etc.. It has good and specific sounds, and needs our special ability to play it.

M : So you make this as your job?
Ng : Yes, After I have studied it seriously, Now, I become a Vietnam Zither’s teacher, and sometimes I play at concert. I enjoy what I’ve done, becoming a teacher while enjoying to play this instrument.

M : How can you join concert In Indonesia?
Ng : Yes, Ms Eni (Indonesia) and Mr, Thum (Singapore) is my friend A few months ago They ask me to make a concert In Singapore and Indonesia. So, last week a went to Singapore and had a solo performance concert. After that, Mr Thum and his students and I went here (to Indonesia) for the Indonesian concert tomorrow.

M : Chinese Harp is a traditional instrument, what do you think about this instrument in the future? Will it become extinct? Or keep growing like now? Because today’s music is like pop, or rock.. and many teenagers like it.
Ng : I think this music will develop the same way as the other ‘big’ music because in my country, children learn this instrument, and many people like it. And we can combine this music with the other genre of music… Sometimes we also play pop song, with ‘guzheng’ style.. I hope in the future I can join with musicians from other genre, and make a good music combination.

M : How about the future who will be more digitalized and how about the effect for this traditional instrument? Will it be replaced by the Digital instruments?
Ng : I don’t think so.. this music has a ‘special part’ in people’s heart in Vietnam. So, I think this music and instrument can develop together with the others.

M : Ok Ms.Nguyen.. Thank you very much for your time.. It was a good time when I talked with you.. And thank you for your cooperation.. I hope this musical instrument can develop more than now… good luck for your concert tomorrow!
Nice to meet you Ms. Nguyen, hope we will meet again..
Ng : Ok Michael, thank you too… Nice to meet you too.. see ya..

For specific info about Guzheng and pictures of these Chinese and Vietnamese instruments, please open:
http://www.melodyofguzheng.com/
http://www.artstratosphere.com/
http://www.geocities.com/uget1st/oceanic-guzheng.htm *WH

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