Chinese Music II

Instrumental Ensemble

An ensemble that can be performed on Guchi and Sizhu

Banhu

Bonghu, Pang-hu, Qin-nu; It is the leading musical accompaniment in Bang-zi ballads specifically for local operas in Central China and is usually used in solo performances that express a passionate and joyful feeling.

Yiieh-hsuan

Music played in the garden facing the hall together these two dances.

Sheng

One of the oldest Chinese Instruments and is also called as the Chinese mouth organ; It consists of 13-17 bamboo pipes in various lengths that are placed together.

Pengling

Percussion instrument consisting of two bells made of bronze; It adds beauty to rhythmic instruments in music ensembles and theater.

Tangko

Performed inside the hall; A Chamber song in honor to the King and his ancestors.

Muyu

Is made from mulberry wood and is used by striking it to produce sounds; It is used as the musical accompaniment in Buddhist chants.

Zheng

Is one of the earliest Chinese musical instruments made from bamboo; This instrument has curved and elongated surface with 21 stretched strings.

Yueqin

It came from the Ruan but it has a thinner sound with a short neck and flat sound box.

Stanza 1/The Sanqui

It introduces two of the three basic themes of the two basic tonal centers. This stanza is in a slow and free rhythm.

Qin

It is a six-footed string zither instrument same with the Japanese Musical instrument called Koto.

Ernu

It is a two-stringed fiddled instrument; Most well-known in the Hu-qin family; Chinese Violin.

Xiao

It is also known as a wind instrument which is considered as a long flute; It is played in Chinese classical music for solo music.

Ruan

It is also known as the Chinese guitar and moon guitar and it varies in shape.

Sizhu

It is referred to as the silk-and-bamboo ensemble where the instruments play traditional tunes where the texture is heterophonic.

Ya-Yiieh

It is the music played in court of China.

Kongho

The instrument is similar to the harp and aside from the right hand technique, it can also be played by the left hand in vibrato.

Mo Li Hua

A Chinese Folk Song which means Jasmine flower. The folk song describes the purity and fragrance of Jasmine flower. Sung in Nasal voice, and the way the Chinese sings it is in Moderate Tempo and Range. The texture is Homophonic and the Folk song uses syllabic phrasing.

Wen-wu

A civil dance

Wu-wu

A military dance

Guqin

Is a seven-stringed instrument which has a long and slender body made from a pine tree.

Dizi

Is considered a traditional Chinese flute which can be played through double or triple tonguing, fluttered, and tonguing and fluttered.

Bowed Strings, Plucked Strings, Wind, Percussion

These are the four sections of Chinese classic orchestra.

Stanza 6/Restatement

These themes are interpreted again in a different rhythmic arrangement.

Guchi

This instrument ensemble is usually held in urban areas during holidays where gong and drum ensemble commonly perform. This ensemble is composed of either one or more riveted-head barrel drums, gongs, and small cymbals.

Pipa

This instrument is created for plucking. It has a short neck and made of a wooden belly.

Solo Instrument Piece

This instrument piece is used during the ancient times for meditation, purifying and regulated oneself through discipline and controlled emotions. It has a theme and variation with a four-part structure composed of six stanzas with a coda.

Stanza 2-5/Rudiao

This phase introduces the meter and the main motives which differs in tonal development or reduction of themes.