An Introduction to Chinese Music

Transcription

1 An Introduction to Chinese Music A Study Guide for the performance of Red Chamber Objectives Through a presentation of the music of Red Chamber and study guide materials, students will: develop an understanding of the basic history and role of music in China be able to determine what makes Chinese music sound different from Western music be introduced to the four types of Chinese musical instruments be exposed to a high quality, inspirational arts experience A Good Audience Member Will... behave respectfully towards the performers and other audience members. listen attentively to the music, narration, and instructions. participate at appropriate times in the program. attempt to remember elements of the program for later discussions.

2 Chinese Music The History of Music in China Chinese music is the body of vocal and instrumental music composed and played by Chinese People. For several thousands of years Chinese Culture was dominated by the teachings of the philosopher Confucius, who conceived of music in the highest sense as a means of calming the passions and of dispelling unrest and lust, rather than as a form of amusement. The ancient Chinese belief that music is meant not to amuse but to purify one's thoughts. Until quite recently the Chinese theoretically opposed music performed solely for entertainment, accordingly, musical entertainers were relegated to an extremely low social status. Chinese music is as old as Chinese civilization - The body of vocal and instrumental music composed and played by the Chinese people has a history of more than 8000 years! Instruments excavated from sites of the Shang Dynasty (circa BC) include stone chimes, bronze bells, panpipes, and the sheng. When European music was just experiencing its first breath of life, a complete musical theory and sophisticated musical instruments were already appearing in China. By the Han Dynasty, the imperial court set up a Music Bureau, which was in charge of collecting and editing ancient melodies and folk songs. Because of commercial contacts with Central Asia, foreign music was introduced in China and incorporated change and improvement in Chinese music. Today's Chinese music is quite similar to modern Western music. Just like young Westerners, now young Chinese attend the concerts of famous Chinese pop stars. Modern Chinese orchestras play both adapted versions of traditional pieces and classical and modern symphonic compositions. Popular modern music incorporates many aspects of Western music from electric keyboards to guitars. Much of today's popular music can be classified as R&B, rock, blues, or dance music. Many traditional Chinese instruments are used in conjunction with popular instruments of Western cultures. Many modern artists also incorporate traditional Chinese melodies into their songs, so even music using only popular Western instruments sounds different. The mixing of Western styles and Chinese styles with traditional Chinese instruments and other instruments allows for the creation of an endless scope of expression with modern Chinese music.

3 Chinese Musical Style As with anything, traditional Chinese music had many different variations depending on the time period, region, and individual. Each imperial court had its own specialty. Each dynasty focused on different aspects of the music. And within each dynasty, different regions and localities possessed their own style of music. As with Western music, solo performances of musical instruments also exist. Some musical pieces are performed slowly to creating a relaxing ambience while others are performed very quickly to mark an atmosphere of excitement and festivity. The Music of China is truly one-of-a-kind. When listening to Chinese music, those who are not familiar with it will know that what they're hearing is something very different and truly breathtaking. Even modern Chinese music, in a style very much like Western modern music, is somewhat distinct. Why is this so? Why does Chinese music sound different from Western music? 1. Traditional Chinese music puts certain emphasis on each the five musical elements much differently than its Western counterpart. Melody and tone quality are prominent expressive features of Chinese music, and great emphasis is given to the proper articulation and inflection of each musical tone. 2. Chinese music also uses a different scale, using a five-tone scale (heptatonic) rather than the eight-tone scale (pentatonic) of Western music. The pentatonic scale was much used in older music. The heptatonic scale is often encountered in northern Chinese folk music. 3. The variations of rhythm, beat, tone quality, and embellishments in traditional Chinese music are highly distinctive and unlike their Western counterparts. This is mainly due to the unique sounds and playing styles of traditional Chinese musical instruments. 4. One cannot also ignore the fact that Chinese music is sung in the Chinese language, which will surprise and strike many Westerners as odd and incredible. Although different and seemingly "odd", Chinese Music is unique and beautiful in its own and special way!

4 Types of Chinese Musical Instruments In traditional Chinese orchestras, the combination of all the different instruments served to create a harmonious and beautiful auditory atmosphere. Chinese musical instruments can be divided into four basic categories based on the method by which they are played: The first category includes the bowed-strings, or Hu Qin, which are made of wood with a piece of snakeskin stretched over the sound box. They have two strings, and the bow is permanently caught in between the two strings. The second category includes the plucked-strings, of which there are three types: dulcimers, lutes, and harps. The harp is made of either wood or bamboo with steel strings. In the past, the strings were made of silk. The musicians of Red Chamber play in the plucked strings tradition with lutes and the ancient Chinese zither, called a zheng. The third category encompasses the woodwind section. There are flutes, pipes, and Chinese trumpets which use double reeds like the oboe but sound like a trumpet. The final category encompasses the percussion section. The main instruments include drums, timpani, gongs, and cymbals. For some songs, bells, xylophones, tuned gongs, and the triangle are used. The percussion section is called the wu-ch'ang, or martial scene, in traditional Chinese opera.

5 Red Chamber Whether it is fast and furious stringband music, the sultry beauty of Imperial Court classics, or cutting edge contemporary creations, Red Chamber's fiery passion embodies every note. Red Chamber is a Chinese orientated string band with master Zheng player Mei Han. She is joined by musicians on pipa, mandolin, banjo and many other Asiatic and western instruments. Red Chamber straddles traditional and contemporary, whether it be ancient Chinese string band music seldom heard in the west, bluegrass, or jazz fusion. These virtuosic performers set the stage on fire with hot licks, power and passion! Red Chamber takes its inspiration from the traditional Chinese "Plucked String" repertoire that is seldom if ever heard in the west, featuring only plucked strings. Red Chamber creates a unique sound while performing a repertoire that spans centuries, featuring transcriptions from the Tang Dynasty ( ) to modern compositions. This is an exciting ensemble of masterful musicians bringing a new sound on ancient instruments to the concert stage. You can learn more about Red Chamber and watch them perform at