Music

Traditional Chinese Music and Instruments

Chinese music can be traced far back into history. Around 3,000 years ago, when European music was just experiencing its first breath of life, a complete musical theory and sophisticated musical instruments began appearing in China. The orthodox ritual music advocated by Confucius was largely responsible for this Chinese interest in and mastery of music. By the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.), 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 entered China and modified as well as improved Chinese music. By the time of Emperor Hsuan Tsung (r. 713-755 A.D.) of the Tang Dynasty, the court organized the Pear Garden Academy song and dance troupe which cultivated a large number of musicians and laid a firm foundation for Chinese music.

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 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. Chinese musical instruments can be divided into four basic categories based on the method by which they are played: blown, bowed, plucked, and struck (i.e. percussion) instruments.

In traditional Chinese orchestras, the combination of all the different instruments served to create a harmonious and beautiful auditory atmosphere. Unbelievingly beautiful music was made and is still made. Many Chinese instruments can produce purely unique and amazing sounds.

Gu-zheng

Traditional Chinese musical instrument with 21 strings. There are Gu-zhengs with even more strings.

Er-hu

Two-string bowed Chinese musical instrument, known in the West as the "Chinese violin" or "Chinese two-string fiddle".

Gu-qin

Literally, Gu Qin means "Ancient Musical Instrument". It is a seven string plucked Chinese musical instrument of zither family. Its sound is very peaceful, like resounding in a valley.

Dizi

Is a Chinese traverse flute. Normally made of bamboo. There is also Dizi made of jade.

Pipa

A plucked Chinese musical instrument with four strings. Sometimes called the Chinese lute. It has a pear-shaped wooden body.

Xiao

Pronounced as "Shyiao", a Chinese vertical end-blown flute. Normally made of bamboo. Its sound is thick, serious and peaceful.

Sanxian

Sanxian is a three-stringed fretless plucked musical instrument. It has a long fingerboard, and the body is traditionally made from snakeskin stretched over a rounded rectangular resonator. It is made in several sizes for different purposes and in the late 20th century a four-stringed version was also developed. The northern sanxian is generally larger, at about 122 cm in length, while southern versions of the instrument are usually about 95 cm in length.

Yangqin

The trapezoidal Yangqin, is a originally from the Middle East, but over time the first character changed to (also pronounced "yáng"), which means "acclaimed". It is also spelled yang quin or yang ch'in. Hammered dulcimers of various types are now very popular not only in China.

Gong

Gong is an East Asian musical instrument that takes the form of a flat metal disc which is hit with a mallet.

Bian Zhong

Bian Zhong is an ancient Chinese musical instrument consisting of a set of bronze bells, played melodically. The bells were hung in a wooden frame and struck with a mallet. Along with the stone chimes called bianqing, they were an important instrument in China's ritual and court music going back to ancient times.

Gu

The Tanggu (Gu) is a traditional Chinese drum. It is medium in size and barrel-shaped, with two heads made of animal skin, and is played with two sticks. The tanggu is usually suspended by four rings in a wooden stand.