Shu Xuan: I have learnt alot on the music of China. It is unique and catchy. The chinese instruments all sound cool and lovely. The chinese instruments and the history of China are all very interesting and worth researching on. I feel that China has a long and ardous history. Not only that, the instruments originated from China all have an interesting history too. The stories related to it are all interesting and enriching. From these past few weeks, my knowledge on China and its music all grew and increased
Mavis: Through this assignment and blog, i got introduced to many many different instruments from China. They were facsinating and so interesting. I got to know so much more about different traditional chinese instruments and about their history. Just like the western instruments that are being introduced into our lives everyday, these Chinese instruments are quite similar to each other and i really adore these chinese instruments and admire their history.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
EIGHTH INSTRUMENT TO BE INTRODUCED
YUNLUO- PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT
The yunluo is a traditional Chinese musical instrument. It was also called yún'áo (雲璈) in ancient times.
The yunluo is a set of usually ten small tuned gongs mounted in a wooden frame, with each gong being about 9-12 cm in diameter, and the height of the frame being about 52 cm. The yunluo's gongs are generally of equal diameter but different thicknesses; the thicker gongs produce a higher pitch. It is often used in wind and percussion ensembles in
A modernised yunluo has been developed from the traditional yunluo for use in the large modern
The traditional yunluo is sometimes referred to as the shimianluo (
A very similar instrument called the ulla (hangul: 운라; hanja: 雲鑼 or 雲羅), which is derived from theyunluo, is used in the music of Korea.
The music of Vietnam uses a similar instrument with three gongs, called the tam âm la(Sino-Vietnamese: 三音鑼).
Saturday, July 24, 2010
SEVENTH INSTRUMENT TO BE INTRODUCED
MUYU- percussion instrument.
The wooden fish, also known as the muyu and sometimes known as a Chinese block, is a wooden percussion instrument similar to the Western wood block. The wooden fish is used by monks and laity in the Mahayana Buddhist tradition. It is often used during rituals usually involving the recitation of sutras, mantras, or other Buddhist texts. The wooden fish is mainly used by Buddhist disciples in China, Japan, Korea, and other East Asian countries where the practice of Mahayana, such as the ceremonious reciting of sutras, is prevalent.
There are two kinds of wooden fish. One of them is the traditional instrument that is round in shape and often made out of wood. The fish is hollow with a ridge outside of the wooden fish to help provide the genuine hollow sound when striking the. The sound can differ amongst wooden fish depending on the size, type of wood used, and how hollow the wooden fish is. The instrument is carved with fish scales on its top, and a carving of two fish heads embracing a pearl on the handle, hence the instrument is called a wooden fish for that reason. In Buddhism the fish, which never sleeps, symbolizes wakefulness. Therefore, it is to remind the chanting monks to concentrate on their sutra. Often the mallet used to strike the fish has a rubber coated tip to provide a muffled, but clear sound when struck.
Another type of wooden fish is literally in the shape of a fish. Along with a large temple bell and drum, it is found suspended in front of Buddhist monasteries. Historically, this was the first wooden fish developed, which gradually evolved into the round wooden fish used by Buddhists today.
The Korean version of a wooden fish, or moktak, is simpler in shape and no design is carved onto the fish. The moktak is more oblong in shape. A handle is used for easy carrying for portable uses of the moktak. Moktaks are different in the sense that they provide a deeper, more wooden-like hollow sound when struck.
Many legends describe the origin of the wooden fish - most take place in China. One says that a monk went to India to acquire sutras. On his way to India, he found the way blocked by a wide, flooding river. There appeared neither bridge nor boat.Suddenly, a big fish swam up. It offered to carry the monk across the river. The fish told the monk that it wanted to atone for a crime committed when it was a human. The fish made a simple request, that on the monk's way to obtain sutras, to ask the Buddha to guide the fish on a method to attain Bodhisattvahood.
The monk agreed to the fish's request and continued his quest for seventeen years. After getting the scriptures, he returned to China via the river, which was flooding again. As the monk worried about how to cross, the fish came back to help. It asked if the monk had made the request to the Buddha. To the monk's dismay, he had forgotten. The fish became furious and splashed the monk, washing him into the river. A passing fisherman saved him from drowning, but unfortunately the sutras had been ruined by the water.
The monk went home full of anger. Filled with anger at the fish, he made a wooden effigy of a fish head. When he recalled his adversity, he beat the fish head with a wooden hammer. To his surprise, each time he beat the wooden fish, the fish opened its mouth and vomited a character. He became so happy that, when he had time, he always beat the fish. A few years later, he had got back from the wooden fish's mouth what he had lost to the flood.
When used in the Chinese Orchestra, the wooden fish is often in sets of 5. It is commonly used to convey a solemn and religious feel to a piece. However, it has also been used in fast and lively pieces. An indefinite number of instruments may be used in a piece
A common muyu.
The wooden fish, also known as the muyu and sometimes known as a Chinese block, is a wooden percussion instrument similar to the Western wood block. The wooden fish is used by monks and laity in the Mahayana Buddhist tradition. It is often used during rituals usually involving the recitation of sutras, mantras, or other Buddhist texts. The wooden fish is mainly used by Buddhist disciples in China, Japan, Korea, and other East Asian countries where the practice of Mahayana, such as the ceremonious reciting of sutras, is prevalent.
There are two kinds of wooden fish. One of them is the traditional instrument that is round in shape and often made out of wood. The fish is hollow with a ridge outside of the wooden fish to help provide the genuine hollow sound when striking the. The sound can differ amongst wooden fish depending on the size, type of wood used, and how hollow the wooden fish is. The instrument is carved with fish scales on its top, and a carving of two fish heads embracing a pearl on the handle, hence the instrument is called a wooden fish for that reason. In Buddhism the fish, which never sleeps, symbolizes wakefulness. Therefore, it is to remind the chanting monks to concentrate on their sutra. Often the mallet used to strike the fish has a rubber coated tip to provide a muffled, but clear sound when struck.
Another type of wooden fish is literally in the shape of a fish. Along with a large temple bell and drum, it is found suspended in front of Buddhist monasteries. Historically, this was the first wooden fish developed, which gradually evolved into the round wooden fish used by Buddhists today.
The Korean version of a wooden fish, or moktak, is simpler in shape and no design is carved onto the fish. The moktak is more oblong in shape. A handle is used for easy carrying for portable uses of the moktak. Moktaks are different in the sense that they provide a deeper, more wooden-like hollow sound when struck.
Many legends describe the origin of the wooden fish - most take place in China. One says that a monk went to India to acquire sutras. On his way to India, he found the way blocked by a wide, flooding river. There appeared neither bridge nor boat.Suddenly, a big fish swam up. It offered to carry the monk across the river. The fish told the monk that it wanted to atone for a crime committed when it was a human. The fish made a simple request, that on the monk's way to obtain sutras, to ask the Buddha to guide the fish on a method to attain Bodhisattvahood.
The monk agreed to the fish's request and continued his quest for seventeen years. After getting the scriptures, he returned to China via the river, which was flooding again. As the monk worried about how to cross, the fish came back to help. It asked if the monk had made the request to the Buddha. To the monk's dismay, he had forgotten. The fish became furious and splashed the monk, washing him into the river. A passing fisherman saved him from drowning, but unfortunately the sutras had been ruined by the water.
The monk went home full of anger. Filled with anger at the fish, he made a wooden effigy of a fish head. When he recalled his adversity, he beat the fish head with a wooden hammer. To his surprise, each time he beat the wooden fish, the fish opened its mouth and vomited a character. He became so happy that, when he had time, he always beat the fish. A few years later, he had got back from the wooden fish's mouth what he had lost to the flood.
When used in the Chinese Orchestra, the wooden fish is often in sets of 5. It is commonly used to convey a solemn and religious feel to a piece. However, it has also been used in fast and lively pieces. An indefinite number of instruments may be used in a piece
A common muyu. Thursday, July 22, 2010
SIXTH INSTRUMENT TO BE INTRODUCED
Gudi
The Jiahu gudi (贾湖骨笛) is the oldest known musical instrument from China, dating back to around 6000 B.C.E. Gudi literally means "bone flute. They were excavated in 1986 from an early Neolithic tomb in Jiahu, Wuyan country, henan province, in central China.
These bone flutes have average dimensions of approximately 20 × 1.1 cm, and are made from the wings of the red-crowned crane. They are open-ended and vary in the number of their finger holes, from one to eight; the 8-holed version has seven holes in front and one thumb hole in back. Jiahu bone whistles are much shorter than the flutes, with lengths of 5.7 to 10.5 cm, and having only a couple of holes. The number of holes and the spacing between the holes determined the musical range and scale or mode in which the flute was intended to function. Blowing across the open end of an end-blown bone flute to produce a musical sound, is accomplished in the same way, and produces a similar effect, as blowing across the open top of a bottle. The eight-holed flute can play "all harmonic intervals and two registers.’ These harmonic intervals are said to be a "function of culture" and were of a larger set compared to that now familiar in the West. Bone flutes were apparently also played as part of sacrificial rites, and employed in bird hunting. Gudi are not very common now, but there are some musicians today who play them. There are many bone flutes on display in museums in china today.
Bone flute on display in a museum in china
FIFTH INSTRUMENT TO BE INTRODUCED
BANGZI- Percussion instru
This is a hakka instrument, also known as the qiaozi or 'qiaozi board'. There are two varieties, treble and bass. It is made of solid wood, 4 inches long, 2 inches tall, and 3 inches wide, hollowed out inside. There is a channel at the side. Drumming on its top with a wooden stick will make a clear, loud sound, more substantial than that of the Single-Leather Drum. It is used as an “eye” (off-beat part). Its tone is lower and more muffled than the Board Drum. The Hebei Bangzi is struck with two hard sticks of different sizes, producing a loud, hard, bright sound. The Henan Bangzi has a hollow, rectangular body, which when struck with wooden sticks produces a crisp, short sound.
It is a Beiguan instrument, used by the lead performer, the same as the Bangzi, clapper and Board Drum. Hakka Eight Tones uses a treble Bangzi to replace the Single-Leather Drum, since both have the crucial function of command. The Bangzi is commonly used in opera accompaniment or instrumental ensembles.
A lovely piece buy a chinese orchestra.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
FOURTH INSTRUMENT TO BE INTRODUCED
Bamboo flute- dizi [bamboo instrument]
The dizi is a Chinese bamboo flute. It is a traditional Chinese transverse flute made with six holes and is characterised by an additional hole covered by a piece of very thin paper-like fibre that buzzes when played. This fibre, di mo, which is either made from the inner layer of a certain type of bamboo or from a type of river reed, is readily available in Chinese music stores. The di mo is held in place by placing a small amount of natural gum or garlic juice around the hole, and slightly moistening as it is placed into position. The di mo must dry to the proper tension to produce the dizi's characteristic loud sound. Modern dizi can be found with additional keys to aid in playing accidentals, but traditionally players had a set of dizi, one for each desired key, and accidentals and slides were accomplished by very subtle adjustments of the fingers to cover only a quarter or half of a hole. Although a relatively easy instrument at first, the standard for good dizi playing is extremely high, and professional dizi players from China are stunning in their virtuosity, although they often lack the emotional depth that is found in flute playing from other cultures.
picture of dizi
Dizi solo performance. Sounds lovely, just like birds chirping actually.
The dizi is a Chinese bamboo flute. It is a traditional Chinese transverse flute made with six holes and is characterised by an additional hole covered by a piece of very thin paper-like fibre that buzzes when played. This fibre, di mo, which is either made from the inner layer of a certain type of bamboo or from a type of river reed, is readily available in Chinese music stores. The di mo is held in place by placing a small amount of natural gum or garlic juice around the hole, and slightly moistening as it is placed into position. The di mo must dry to the proper tension to produce the dizi's characteristic loud sound. Modern dizi can be found with additional keys to aid in playing accidentals, but traditionally players had a set of dizi, one for each desired key, and accidentals and slides were accomplished by very subtle adjustments of the fingers to cover only a quarter or half of a hole. Although a relatively easy instrument at first, the standard for good dizi playing is extremely high, and professional dizi players from China are stunning in their virtuosity, although they often lack the emotional depth that is found in flute playing from other cultures.
picture of diziDizi solo performance. Sounds lovely, just like birds chirping actually.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
THIRD INSTRUMENT TO BE INTRODUCED
ERHU- bowed instrument
Erhu is a kind of violin (fiddle) with two strings which belongs to the “huqin” family. It is said that its origin would be dated up to the Tang dynasty (618-907).During Song dynasty (960-1279), the instrument was introduced to China and was called "Ji Qin". Soon the second generation of the huqin was among the instruments played at the imperial banquets. During the Dynasties of Yuan (1206-1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911), the erhu underwent a great development at the time of the golden age of the local operas.
The sound body of the erhu is a drum- like little case usually made of ebony or sandalwood and snake skins. It usually has a hexagonal shape with the length of approximately 13cm. The front opening is covered with skin of python and that of the back is left open. The functions of this case of resonance are to amplify the vibrations of the strings. The neck of the erhu is about 81cm long. The player creates different pitches by toughing the strings at various positions along with the neck of the instrument. The strings are usually made of silk or nylon, however, metal strings are commonly used nowadays. The bow is 76 cm long. One cannot take off the bow from the erhu unless one of the two strings is taken off or broken as the horse hair runs between two strings.
The erhu is mainly an instrument for melody in a sense like voice. The erhu sounds similar to human voice and can imitate many natural sounds, for example birds and horses. It is a very expressive instrument, most well known for playing melancholic tune, but also capable of playing merry melodies.
The erhu often plays an important role in the national orchestras. In smaller orchestras, there are usually 2-6 erhus, in larger ones, 10-12. In fact the erhu plays the same role as the violin in the western orchestras.
An excellent erhu ballad. It is melodious and there is a mixture of western and chinese culture of music. Great work isn't it???
Erhu is a kind of violin (fiddle) with two strings which belongs to the “huqin” family. It is said that its origin would be dated up to the Tang dynasty (618-907).During Song dynasty (960-1279), the instrument was introduced to China and was called "Ji Qin". Soon the second generation of the huqin was among the instruments played at the imperial banquets. During the Dynasties of Yuan (1206-1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911), the erhu underwent a great development at the time of the golden age of the local operas.
The sound body of the erhu is a drum- like little case usually made of ebony or sandalwood and snake skins. It usually has a hexagonal shape with the length of approximately 13cm. The front opening is covered with skin of python and that of the back is left open. The functions of this case of resonance are to amplify the vibrations of the strings. The neck of the erhu is about 81cm long. The player creates different pitches by toughing the strings at various positions along with the neck of the instrument. The strings are usually made of silk or nylon, however, metal strings are commonly used nowadays. The bow is 76 cm long. One cannot take off the bow from the erhu unless one of the two strings is taken off or broken as the horse hair runs between two strings.
The erhu is mainly an instrument for melody in a sense like voice. The erhu sounds similar to human voice and can imitate many natural sounds, for example birds and horses. It is a very expressive instrument, most well known for playing melancholic tune, but also capable of playing merry melodies.
The erhu often plays an important role in the national orchestras. In smaller orchestras, there are usually 2-6 erhus, in larger ones, 10-12. In fact the erhu plays the same role as the violin in the western orchestras.
An excellent erhu ballad. It is melodious and there is a mixture of western and chinese culture of music. Great work isn't it???
SECOND INSTRUMENT TO BE INTRODUCED
PIPA [CHINESE LUTE] - Plucked instrument
The pipa is a four stringed lute a pear-shaped body. Its short, bent neck has 30 frets which extend onto the soundboard, offering a wide range (3.5 octavos). It is also known as the Chinese guitar, almost resembling one.
This instrument appears in texts dating up to the second century B.C. There are a lot of written texts of the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) about pipa music played and the stories that inspired the composition for those pipa pieces. Since the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the pipa is one of the most popular Chinese instruments, and has maintained its appeal in solo as well as chamber genres.
The pipa technique is characterised by spectacular finger dexterity and virtuosi programmatic effects. Pipa is used in music pieces vividly describing famous battle and exciting scenes. The instrument is also capable of more lyrical effects in pieces inspired by poetry, landscapes and historical themes.
Pipa music has been loved by Chinese people through centuries and there used to be a large repertoire of pipa music, a lot of them were lost, and some of them were handed down from generation to generation through individual artists and scholars.
Traditionally pipa is mainly a solo instrument, some time played in folk ensembles such as traditional silk and bamboo ensembles that are common found in South-East China, or used to accompany story telling, or local opera. However, nowadays, the pipa is more and more used in contemporary compositions for ensemble, orchestra, and various combinations with both Chinese and western instruments. The most outstanding works are pipa concertos with western orchestra.
References:
http://www.philmultic.com/pipa/
Modern pipa used these days... Resembles a western guitar doesn't it?A traditional pipa solo, very emotional and poweful feeling and amazing fingerworks are applied.
FIRST INSTRUMENT TO BE INTRODUCED
GUZHENG- plucked instrument
The guzheng[古筝] is a plucked string instrument that is part of the zither family. It is one of the oldest Chinese instruments, including others like the Pipa, Ruan and many more. It has a long history and thus, is named guzheng, where “gu” in Chinese stands for “ancient” and “zheng” which stands for “Chinese plucked zither”. It is also played solo and the guzheng solo repertoire has been growing and evolving towards an increasing technical complexity.
The word zheng,筝, comes with a legend: There was a master of se, a 25-stringed zither, who had 2 talented daughters who loved to play the instrument. Now there came a time that the master became too old, and wanted to pass his instrument over to one of his daughters. However, both daughters wanted to have it. The master felt very sad that he had only one instrument. As a result, out of desperation, he decided to split the instrument into two - one with 12 strings, and the other 13. To his amazement, the new instrument sounds mellow and it’s sound was even more beautiful than the se. The happy master gave the new instrument a new name "zheng".
The origin of the Chinese character representing this instrument seems to indicate that the early version of the instrument was made of bamboo, which is different from that of today.
The Guzheng is build with a special wooden sound body with strings arched across movable bridges along the length of the instrument for the purpose of tuning. In the early years, the guzheng had 5 strings; later on developed into 12 to 13 strings in the Tang and 16 strings in the Song and Ming dynasty. The present day guzheng usually has 21-25 strings.
There are many ways to play the guzheng. The player plucks the strings skillfully with her right-hand fingernails, while her left-hand applies pressure to the strings to create vibrations, which will come out as a melodious and elegant sound.
A 21 string zither.
Well- knowned song by Jay Chou- Ju Hua Tai, played on a guzheng. Sounds Amazing doesn't it?
BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF MUSIC IN CHINA
Many instruments are originated from China and are widely used by people. Numerous in people are aesthetically talented and although western music is now being interested, many in China still prefer playing Chinese instruments. Even in bands in China schools, though most are playing western instruments such as the saxophone and trombone, there will be at least one person in the midst playing a Chinese instrument, for example the yu, a wooden percussion instrument played by hitting a stick with an end.
Though being influenced by western instruments, Traditional Chinese instruments are still popular and many are being introduced to them and their cultures. Did you know that it is rumoured that the oldest Chinese instrument goes way back 9000 years ago? A bone flute was discovered at the 9000 Neolithic site of JiaHu, suggesting that the flute was probably the earliest complete, playable, tightly-dated, multi- note musical instrument.
China is the country that probably has the most instruments originated from it. Examples include the erhu, guzheng, pipa, ruan, liuqin and sihu. They are well liked with people from all around the world, especially the guzheng, which is why it is a CCA in Singapore too. Each upcoming post will be on one Chinese instrument, thus stay tune!!!
Here's a video of different traditional chinese musical instruments combined together. It's a lovely song :)
Many instruments are originated from China and are widely used by people. Numerous in people are aesthetically talented and although western music is now being interested, many in China still prefer playing Chinese instruments. Even in bands in China schools, though most are playing western instruments such as the saxophone and trombone, there will be at least one person in the midst playing a Chinese instrument, for example the yu, a wooden percussion instrument played by hitting a stick with an end.
Though being influenced by western instruments, Traditional Chinese instruments are still popular and many are being introduced to them and their cultures. Did you know that it is rumoured that the oldest Chinese instrument goes way back 9000 years ago? A bone flute was discovered at the 9000 Neolithic site of JiaHu, suggesting that the flute was probably the earliest complete, playable, tightly-dated, multi- note musical instrument.
China is the country that probably has the most instruments originated from it. Examples include the erhu, guzheng, pipa, ruan, liuqin and sihu. They are well liked with people from all around the world, especially the guzheng, which is why it is a CCA in Singapore too. Each upcoming post will be on one Chinese instrument, thus stay tune!!!
Here's a video of different traditional chinese musical instruments combined together. It's a lovely song :)
CHINA
China is the fourth largest country in the world. It is located at East Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam. Its geographic coordinates are 35 00 N and 105 00 E. The capital of China is BeiJing and it is divided into 25 provinces, 5 regions and 4 municipalities.
China has a vast population of more than 1.2 million people and is the most populous country in the world. Moreover, its population density is somewhat over 110 people per square kilometre, which is only a third of that of Japan and less than many other countries in Asia and Europe. However, 90% of the Chinas’ population live on less than 40% of the land.
The population density of China is high, with 133 people per sq km; however this population is unevenly distributed. Along the densely populated east coast, there are more than 400 people per sq km; in the central areas, over 200 and in the sparsely populated plateaus in the west, there are only less than 10 people per sq km.
Over here in our blog, we will not be touching on the history of China or whatsoever, but its musical culture which is well- known and well- liked by many.
The music of China is one-of-a-kind. When listening to Chinese music, you will find that it is very different and breathtaking although you know not of its origins. Even modern Chinese music, similar to Western music, is still quite distinct. Traditional Chinese music puts certain emphasis on each the five musical elements much apart than its Western counterpart. Chinese music also uses a different scale, using a five-tone scale rather than the eight-tone scale of Western music. Although Chinese music is weird and different to some, it is still unique and breathtaking in its individual and extraordinary way.
STAY TUNE!!!
References:
http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/38110.htm
www.mapsofworld.com/country-profile/china.html
http://depts.washington.edu/chinaciv/geo/people.htm
http://geography.about.com/library/cia/blcchina.htm
http://library.thinkquest.org/20443/g_music.html
China is the fourth largest country in the world. It is located at East Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam. Its geographic coordinates are 35 00 N and 105 00 E. The capital of China is BeiJing and it is divided into 25 provinces, 5 regions and 4 municipalities.
China has a vast population of more than 1.2 million people and is the most populous country in the world. Moreover, its population density is somewhat over 110 people per square kilometre, which is only a third of that of Japan and less than many other countries in Asia and Europe. However, 90% of the Chinas’ population live on less than 40% of the land.
The population density of China is high, with 133 people per sq km; however this population is unevenly distributed. Along the densely populated east coast, there are more than 400 people per sq km; in the central areas, over 200 and in the sparsely populated plateaus in the west, there are only less than 10 people per sq km.
Over here in our blog, we will not be touching on the history of China or whatsoever, but its musical culture which is well- known and well- liked by many.
The music of China is one-of-a-kind. When listening to Chinese music, you will find that it is very different and breathtaking although you know not of its origins. Even modern Chinese music, similar to Western music, is still quite distinct. Traditional Chinese music puts certain emphasis on each the five musical elements much apart than its Western counterpart. Chinese music also uses a different scale, using a five-tone scale rather than the eight-tone scale of Western music. Although Chinese music is weird and different to some, it is still unique and breathtaking in its individual and extraordinary way.
STAY TUNE!!!
References:
http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/38110.htm
www.mapsofworld.com/country-profile/china.html
http://depts.washington.edu/chinaciv/geo/people.htm
http://geography.about.com/library/cia/blcchina.htm
http://library.thinkquest.org/20443/g_music.html
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