Emerging star: Le Quang Khoa performs in Da Nang on July 19. — VNS Photo Han Le

HA NOI  (VNS) — A show featuring an emerging percussive-style guitar talent will be held in Ha Noi tonight to introduce the public to the technique.

Le Quang Khoa, 28, will star in the show, being held by Heritage Space and Viet Nam Finger-style Guitar Organisation.

Khoa's talent relies on percussive striking of the strings as well as using the palm and fingertips to hit both the strings and the body of the guitar.

This style has long been popular in Spanish flamenco and Latin American music, but has only recently begun to emerge in Viet Nam.

The repertoire will include extracts from rock pieces by Muse, Daft Punk and Led Zeppelin and music pieces by fingerstyle guitarists.

Khoa will debut a piece arranged by himself from the song Mua Roi (Falling Rain) by Vietnamese ethnic composer Kho Mu.

"The piece was arranged four years ago with a mix of Western and Oriental music styles," said Khoa. "I like the song because of its fresh spirituality."

He will be accompanied by guitarists Nguyen Duy Phong and Dang Tran Tung, violinist Nguyen Thien Minh and singer Trang Tooc.

Climax of the show will be a performance by Khoa and violinist Minh. They will play two songs Spiritual Groove and Smooth Criminal.

Spiritual Groove is special because it brings out the best of finger-style guitar and violin together to create a song with intense rhythm and colourful melodies, said Khoa.

"Smooth Criminal is a famous song by Michael Jackson. Percussion on the guitar helps us create a new style of pop music with a strong beat and surprising arrangements," said Khoa.

Khoa started playing guitar at 17. He started playing percussive finger-style guitar about five years ago after attending a concert by Andy McKee, a popular finger-style guitarist in the US.

Khoa studies finance at Portland State University.

"I hope the show will be a step of VNFS to make the fingerstyle guitar professional in Viet Nam and promoting international co-operation," said Khoa.

The one-night show will be held at Heritage Space, 28 Tran Binh Street, starting at 8pm. — VNS