THE MUSIC OF CHINA

East Asian Music

LESSON 2 – MUSIC 8
Second quarter
CHINA • Officially known as the
Peoples Republic of
China.
• Located in East Asia.
• The modern word
“China” is most likely
derived from the name of
the Qin (Pronounced as
Chin) Dynasty.
• World’s most populous
country.
CHINA
• The people of China call their nation as
“Chung Hua” and it’s capital Beijing.
• Also known as the “Flowery Kingdom”.
• Many fruits and flowers (such as orange
and orchid) originated in this country
are now grown all over the world.
MUSIC OF CHINA
The music of China dates back
to the dawn of Chinese civilization
with documents and artifacts
providing evidence of well-
developed musical culture as
early as Zhou dynasty. (1122 B.C –
256 B.C.)
 MUSIC OF CHINA
It is based on the
doctrines and beliefs of
some well-known
Chinese philosophers.
For several thousand
years, Chinese cultures
has been dominated by
the teachings of the
philosopher, Confucius.
MUSIC OF CHINA

Confucius conceived music in

the highest sense as a means of
calming the passion of dispelling
of unrest and lust, rather than as a
form of entertainment.
MUSIC OF CHINA

There is an ancient Chinese

belief that music is meant not to
amuse but to purify one’s
thoughts.
MUSIC OF CHINA

Traditionally the Chinese have

believed that sound influences the
harmony of the universe.
MUSIC OF CHINA

To the Chinese, music has a

practical use in their lives. To them
music is used in teaching, in giving
guidelines for behavior in society,
and in giving power to the
government.
MUSIC OF CHINA

Most importantly, music is used

to arrive at an agreement and
cooperation in society.
MUSIC OF CHINA
The most famous legend concerning
the origin of Chinese music says that
around 2697 B.C. Emperor Huang-ti
sent a certain Ling Lun to the
mountains to cut some bamboo pipes
that will give a definite tone which
would be the basis of music and
harmony in the governing kingdom.
MUSIC OF CHINA
From this pipes, the fundamental
pitches would be derived. It is now
called Lu System.
Traditional Chinese music uses a five –
tone scale called Wu-Sheng and the
remaining two tones are used through
changing tones or pien.
MUSIC OF CHINA

It is believed that the Chinese scale

is connected to the Chinese patterns
in life like their outlook in cycles of
dynasties, seasons, the five planets,
and five basic elements.
CHINESE SCALE
Kung Note which is corresponds to the Emperor.

Shang Note which is corresponds to the Minister.

Chiao Note is related to the People.

Chih Note is represent the affair to the State.

Yu Note represent material objects.

MUSICAL ELEMENTS
High
Pitched, Pentatonic
Thin and Scale
nasal
Timbre Melody

Rhythm Texture
Vocal:
Duple Monophonic
Meter Instrumental:
Heterophonic
CHINESE VOCAL MUSIC

Religious Xiaoling

Zhugongdiao Folk Music

CHINESE VOCAL MUSIC

Religious A. Buddhist or temple music

(Sanskrit) – Chanting music
covering verse, hymns,
and liturgies
B. Taoist – regional folk music
and used in ceremonial
rituals.
CHINESE VOCAL MUSIC

Xiaoling
• It is the vocal art song of
the 12th to 13th century.
• It is based on the poetry of
Qu.
• It is performed with a
wooden clapper.
CHINESE VOCAL MUSIC

• It is a type of narrative song

about a romantic legend
accompanied by drums.

Zhugongdiao
CHINESE VOCAL MUSIC
• It is a mountain song on
strophic form using fewer
refrains.
• It has two or four phrases
with the same length and
each phrase has a
different musical thought.
• It describes the lives of
most Chinese people. Folk Music
• Example: Mo Li Hua, Sange
CHINESE VOCAL MUSIC
Mo Li Hua
• is a traditional Chinese song
with beautiful gentle and
lyrical melody.
• The lyrics about jasmine
flower also turn it into a love
song.
• The song describes a
custom of giving jasmine
flowers, popular in southern
Yangtze delta region of
China
• Another version describes
the fear of plucking the
flower.
CHINESE VOCAL MUSIC

The music played in royal court to

entertain the Emperor 2000 years ago
is called Ya-Yueh.
CHINESE VOCAL MUSIC

Ya-Yueh, which literally means

“elegant music” is a form of Chinese
classical music, which incorporates
elements of early Chinese folk music
and religious traditions. Every dynasty
tried to retain its ancient style.
 CHINESE VOCAL MUSIC
2 KINDS OF Ya-Yueh
Yueh-Hsuan Tangko
(Chime Music) (Chamber song)
• Is a group of instruments • Played or performed
which were played in inside the hall that were
front of the garden used to pay tribute to the
accompanied by two Emperor and his ancestor.
dances, the wen-wu (civil
dance) and the wu-wu
(military dance)
CHINESE VOCAL MUSIC

Ya-Yueh has a rigid form and should

be stately and formal when
performed. It is also sometimes
accompanied by lyrics. Some of these
are preserved in the Books of Songs.
CHINESE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
China’s greatest contribution to the
musical world is its variety of musical
instruments. It can be played in court,
teahouses, or some public places.
Traditional Chinese musical instruments
maybe classified according to the
materials they are made of and
according to their use.
 STRING INSTRUMENTS

Yueqin
• a moon-shaped lute with
shorter neck and four
strings, played with a
spectrum, used for
accompanying local
operas.
 STRING INSTRUMENTS

Erhu
• a two-stringed
fiddle and one of
the most popular
Chinese
instruments.
 STRING INSTRUMENTS

Pipa
• a four-stringed lute with
30 frets and a pear-
shaped body.
 STRING INSTRUMENTS

Zheng
• an ancient Chinese
instrument that has an
arched surface and an
elongated-trapezoid with
13 to 21 strings
stretched over individual
bridges.
 WIND INSTRUMENTS (AEROPHONE)

Xiao
• Pronounced as
“Shyiao”, a Chinese
vertical end – blown
flute. Normally made of
bamboo. Its sound is
thick, serious and
peaceful.
WIND INSTRUMENTS (AEROPHONE)

Sheng
• Also called as Chinese
mouth organ and looks
like a set of panpipes
with 12 to 36 bamboo
pipes.
• one of the oldest
Chinese musical
instruments.
 WIND INSTRUMENTS (AEROPHONE)

Dizi
• traditional Chinese flute.
• It can have a membrane over an extra hole to give the
characteristic rattle effect.
PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS (IDIOPHONE)

Yunluo
• literally "cloud gongs"
or "cloud of gongs,”
• is a set of ten small
tuned gongs mounted
in a wooden frame.
 PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS (IDIOPHONE)

Pengling
• two small bells made
of high-tin bronze,
without internal
clappers, and
bottomless.
FIN