Speaking Musically: An Introduction to Traditional Hmong Music

This educational video presents an overview of Hmong instrumental and vocal genres, including: raj, nplooj, qeej, and kwv txhiaj. The performances and interviews featured were collected between the summer of 2000 and the fall of 2001 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Funding was provided by the Summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire and the University of Wisconsin System Institute on Race and Ethnicity. Additional materials include.

Supplemental information pamphlet - This document provides a brief summary of Hmong history, explanation of musical vocabulary, and more detailed information on subjects covered in the video.
Transcript - This document, in html format, can be read as a practical introduction to the fundamentals of traditional Hmong music. Quotes from the interviewees and descriptions of the images which accompany the narrative are not included.
Bibliography - A listing of the articles utilized in the research and production of the video. (More comprehensive and up-to-date bibliography.)

The video was digitzied in 2005 and made available via the Internet Archive where visitors can stream high and low quality versions or download the video in a variety of formats. A limited number of DVDs and VCDs are available for educators (contact me via e-mail for more information). Those who are able are encouraged to download the videos from the Internet and create their own copies. Those who receive a DVD/VCD or are able to make a copy are freely allowed to make as many copies as they choose with a few restrictions. Some of these restrictions may be waived with my permission.

Beginning in September of 2001, "Speaking Musically" began to air on Community Television Cable Channel 11 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin where it was nominated for a 2001 Impact Award. Copies were distributed to the Eau Claire Hmong Mutual Assistance Association and some members of the faculty at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. The video and information packet is also on reserve in the district library for teachers in the Eau Claire Area School District for use in the classroom. Research from the project was also presented at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research at the University of Kentucky - Lexington in the spring of 2001.

Qhia txog hmoob suab qeej, raj, ncas, thiab kwvtxhiaj

The experts interviewed to create "Speaking Musically" were each given a chance to speak about Hmong music in their own language. "Qhia" utilizes these interviews and the complete musical performances that were filmed to create a Hmong language educational video which introduces some basic concepts about Hmong music. The musical performances, shown in their entirety, demonstrate these concepts and provide a valuable document of Hmong music in Eau Claire. It is also available in DVD and VCD for educators and can be downloaded and streamed at the Internet Archive.