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Music
Quarter 4 – Module 1:
Asian Musical Theater – Peking
Opera
MAPEH – Grade 8
Quarter 4 – Module 1: Asian Musical Theater- Peking Opera
First Edition, 2020

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Department of Education – Region XI

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Telefax: 224-3274
E-mail Address: davaocity.division@deped.gov.ph
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Music
Quarter 4 – Module 1:
Asian Musical Theater – Peking
Opera
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use
this module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while
allowing them to manage their own learning at home. Furthermore, you are
expected to encourage and assist the learners as they do the tasks included
in the module.

For the learner:

As a learner, you must learn to become responsible of your own
learning. Take time to read, understand, and perform the different activities
in the module.

As you go through the different activities of this module be reminded of

the following:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part
of the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer Let Us Try before moving on to the other
activities.
3. Read the instructions carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are done.

If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module,

do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that
you are not alone. We hope that through this material, you will experience
meaningful learning and gain deep understanding of the relevant
competencies. You can do it!

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 Let Us Learn
Before we start, I would like to know how far you know about Chinese
Theater Music. Specifically, it seeks to achieve the learning competency
Identifies musical characteristics of selected Asian musical theater
through video films or live performances; MU8TH-IVa-g-1

And we will focus our learning objectives on the following:

1. Discuss the musical characteristic of Peking Opera;

2. Identify musical characteristics of Peking Opera after watching
a video film.

Are you ready? Let’s do this. Now, let us start learning about this
module. See you and good luck!

Let Us Try
FIND ME

Instruction: Find and encircle the given terminologies below. Copy and answer
the puzzle on a separate sheet of paper.

Aria Erhuang Manban Peking China

Xipi Yuanban Kuaiban Opera Theater

T W A C E D V C X Y
H A E H F D B C G U
E A R I A S R O N A
A S H N M A D K J N
T D U A E C G L P B
E O A V D O P E R A
R N N K U A I B A N
S K G E V E N A E R
R Y U X I P I N S Q
T H G U W E D D B T
C A T R Y K T V D H
C R Y E R I D B C N
M A N B A N I X Y K
C A R E S G G T U Z

Guide Questions:
1. List the word/s that you are familiar.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

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 Let Us Study

Musical Characteristics of Peking Opera

Peking Opera, also known as Pingju or 京剧 Jingxi in the Chinese language,

is one of the famous operas in China. The “Four Great Anhui Troupes”
brought Anhui Opera to Beijing in 1790. It was originally performed for the
court to entertain the emperor. But later on, it was open to the public. It is a
scenic art integrating music, performance, literature, aria, and face painting.
A dramatic play that mainly infusing four artistic methods: singing, dialogue,
dancing, and martial arts. In singing, it is utilized to intensify the appeal of
the artist by all kinds of tones.

The 4 Main Characters

1. Sheng 生 - a common name for a male character
a. laosheng is a dignified older role
b. xiaosheng is a Young male character, these characters sing in a
high tone, a sharp voice that occasionally breaks to represent the
voice change during adolescence
c. wusheng is a martial character for roles involving combat and
has a natural singing voice.

2. Dan 旦- a common name for a female character. Dan roles were divided
into 5 subtypes
a. Laodan played an old women
b. Wudan as martial arts women
c. Daomadan young female warriors
d. Qingyi virtuous and elite women
e. Huadan vivacious and unmarried women

3. Jing 净 is a painted face male role. Roles can be played either a primary
or secondary role depending on the repertoire. The 3 main types of Jing
roles are:
a. Dongchui a loyal general with a black face who excels in singing
b. Jiazi a complex character played by a skilled actor
c. Wujing a martial and acrobatic character

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 4. Chou 丑 is a male clown role and plays a secondary role in a troupe.
These characters were mostly connected to guban (drum) especially in
solo performances. Chou characters do not sing frequently, their arias
feature a large amount of improvisation.
a. Wen Chou is a civilian role such as merchants and jailers,
b. Wu Chou is one of the most demanding roles because it combines
comic acting, acrobatics, and a strong voice.

The Musical Characteristic

Melodic instruments use fiddle/ lute namely Huqin such as

Source: n.d. TheMet. Free Royalty.
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/
500667
Jinghu- small, shrilled-voice
Source: Traditional Chinese Musical Instruments,
Ehru. Free Royalty. https://traditional-chinese-
musical-instruments.weebly.com/erhu-
2010832993.html
Erhu- larger, mellow-toned

Rhythmic and percussion instruments

Gu/ Bangu- a barrel drums with Suona- conical bore and bell
tacked heads

Source: Roger Vetter, Bangu. Free Royalty. Source: n.d. TheMet. Free Royalty.
https://omeka- https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/
s.grinnell.edu/s/MusicalInstruments/item/956 500597
Bo- cymbals Luo- small flat gong

Source: SCO, Chinese Instruments. Free Royalty. Source: SCO, Chinese Instruments. Free Royalty.
https://www.sco.com.sg/en/appreciate/chinese- https://www.sco.com.sg/en/appreciate/chinese-
instruments.html instruments.html

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Paiban- clappers

Source: n.d. TheMet. Free Royalty.

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/
501961

Melody
Jingxi’s melodies fall into two types namely xipi and erhuang.
Erhuang
• Serious and lyrical text
• During the performance, the fiddle may be played and tuned lower
• Emphasize using a pentatonic scale in G and C with a changing
tone of B (with tone equivalent between the Western B and Bb) but
their mode differ
• Aria’s are for male

Xipi
• It can be heard during the happy and bright moments.
• Emphasize using a pentatonic scale in E and A ( in the context of a
scale starting on C).
• Melodies are often more disjunct.
• Aria’s are for female

Tempo
English Terminology Chinese Terminology
Standard/ moderate Yuanban
Slower Manban
Faster Kuaiban

Harmony
Just like other theatrical music, Jingxi conforms to the text structure and
dramatic situation to make the performance more realistic as to what
message to convey to its audience.

• Jingxi’s aria texts are based on series of couplets of 7 or 10 syllables

each.
• Aria’s were categorized into different types but in a recognizable
way.
• With several verses, it is set in a strophic form.
• As for musical tension is sustained by the use of interjection of
comments or short dialogue between two lines of verses.
• Using an incomplete melodic cadence (point of resolution) aids the
tune to create the sense of forwarding motion and tension.

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Watch the video clip of a performance of Peking Opera. Type the link on your
browser https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVf9ro2MRhM or you may type
the title on the search bar n Youtube Peking Opera or Beijing Opera (Danuta
Rogula)

Follow up Question
1. The set of verses was in what form?

Let Us Practice
WATCH IT

Watch a video performance of the Peking Opera. Copy the link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUUNNYFmNE4 in your browser or type
this title Beijing Opera (Havoc In Heaven) in the Youtube app. Answer the
following question on a separate sheet of paper.

Guide Questions

1. The performance started with what rhythmic instrument?

2. What is the dominant rhythm from the performance?
3. How was the mood set in every scene of the performance?

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 Let Us Practice More
Write down the different and common characteristics between Xipi and
Erhuang. Choose from the given characteristics. Copy and answer on a
separate sheet of paper.

Yuanban Pentatonic Aria

Manban E and A Pentatonic Scale Male
Kuaiban G and C Pentatonic Scale Female

Xipi Erhuang
both
sample
Female Aria Male
(Text) (Text) (Text)
____________ ____________ ____________
(Tempo) (Tempo) (Tempo)

____________ ____________ ____________

(Scale) (Scale) (Scale)

Let Us Remember

Classical Period: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik

• Peking Opera, also known as Pingju or 京剧 Jingxi in the Chinese language,
is one of the famous operas in China. A dramatic play that mainly infusing
four artistic methods: singing, dialogue, dancing, and martial arts.
• Jingxi’s melodies fall into two types namely xipi (female) and erhuang (male).

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 Let Us Assess
Direction: Encircle the letter of your answer. Write your answer
on a separate sheet of paper.

1. The melody of the text/ verses in Peking Opera was set in what form?
a. Binary c. Strophic
b. Ternary d. Rondo

2. What type of scale was used in Peking Opera?

a. Pentatonic Scale c. Major Scale
b. Minor Scale d. Chromatic Scale

3. What is the name of the instrument that is used to create the melodic
line/ accompaniment?
a. Gu c. Bangu
b. Huqin (Jing hu/ erhu) d. Paiban

4. The text used for Erhuang was written with what theme?
a. Bright moment c. Disjunct
b. Serious and lyrical d. moody

5. Xipi and erhuang both use this tempo

a. Manban c. Kuaiban
b. Banban d. Yuanban

Part II. Write your own rhythmic pattern by using the suggested notes.

Example:

Entrance Dance

Fight scene Dialogue

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 Let Us Enhance
Base on what you have read and understand. Write a summary of the musical
characteristic of Peking Opera. Write your answer on a separate sheet of
paper.

Peking Opera or Jingxi Musical characteristics

Let Us Reflect

Asia, particularly Chinese culture has a rich impact on their daily lives
as to which it reflects their music and theater arts. These performances were
meticulously taught and practiced by the performers. Its distinctive
characteristics set it apart from other theater performances. They use their
traditional musical instruments to set the music and create the right mood
for the act.
Congratulations! You have accomplished this module and you did a
great job! I hope you enjoy answering this module and continue this
enthusiasm with the following modules. See you! God Bless

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Answer Key

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 References

n.d, History of Peking Opera, n.d, http://www.pekingopera.eu/pekingopera-

en.html
TravelGuideChina, China Bejing Opera, 2021.
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/arts/beijing_opera/
William P. Malm, Chinese Music, 2012,
https://www.britannica.com/art/Chinese-music/Jingxi-Peking-opera

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Region XI Davao City Division

DepEd Davao City, Elpidio Quirino Ave., Davao City

Telefax: 224-3274

Email Address: davaocity.division@deped.gov.ph