China has a long and influential musical tradition. Over the centuries, musicians developed various styles of music and invented or adopted many types of instruments. The classical traditional music of the elites, the folk and ethnic music, and the favourite traditional Chinese instruments are ‘keynotes’ for appreciating Chinese traditional music in general and enjoying it more!
Is Music only for Entertainment in China?
Apart from being a form of entertainment, music in China has other significant roles to play. Music was so important because the traditional ideal society of China was to be governed by rites, ritual and ceremonial functions, but not by any law or raw power. In a culture where people function according to ritual and ceremony, music was used to help conduct and govern them.
Confucius - China's Foremost Philosopher of Music
Confucius is said to have lived about 2,500 years ago. He is credited for setting the tone of traditional Chinese music for thousands of years. He was a prominent music teacher and a talented musician who was able to play several instruments expertly. He has authored several books. Some of his most popular books are Book of Rites, Confucius Says and The Analects. In his books, he has defined the purpose and role of music and the qualities of "good music".
What are the Traits of Good Traditional Music?
To establish peace and initiate proper conduct during rituals and ceremonies, the music needed to be generally simple, induce tranquillity and facilitate the appropriate conduct in the ceremonial context. In official functions, to produce the proper respect for the authority and optimal audience response, music should have a magnificent beginning, be harmonic and clear, have an easy structure, and be smoothly continuous.
Kinds of Chinese Music
Chinese opera music - theatrical performances
Ensemble or orchestra music - cultured audiences
Solo instrumental performance
1. Chinese Opera Music:
Despite the Traditional Chinese belief that music is not meant for amusement, modern Chinese Opera Music is specifically meant for entertainment. Chinese opera music is a folk creation. It has close relations with dialects, folk songs and the music used to accompany recital-and-song performances. Opera music is not created by specific musicians; it is an outcome of long periods of development of folk music and several other forms of art through several generations, which represents the artistic accomplishments of many generations. In Chinese Opera Music, a group of about 7 musicians play at one end of the stage. Experienced musicians know the score so well that they can perform from memory! Some of the most popular opera instruments include the erhu, wood clappers, gongs, cymbals, some wind instruments and some stringed instruments. The main function of the string instruments is to accompany the singing, but they are used to make special sound effects like animal sounds too!
2. Orchestra Music:
The modern Chinese orchestra originated in the early 20th century. To standardize and improve the myriad Chinese regional musical traditions and instruments, Chinese musicians adapted traditional Chinese music instruments to modern Western musical scales and notes. Like the many languages and dialects spoken in China, at the turn of the 20th Century, different regions of China had their own musical traditions featuring different musical styles, instruments, musical tones and notation. As Western influence spread in China, many Chinese musicians decided that China should have a unified musical discipline as Europe did. Today, Chinese orchestras can be found throughout greater China and in overseas Chinese communities around the world. Despite its relatively short history, Chinese orchestra is now well established and proudly represents Chinese culture in countries all around the world.
3. Solo Performance:
Instrumental performance has been very prominent in Chinese art. Scholars were generally expected to be proficient instrumental performers. Solo instrumental performance is a serious musical discipline. Unlike the western solo performances, the Chinese Solo performances are subtle like a poetic recitation and the music itself is abstract.
Chinese Musical Instruments
Among the many traditional musical instruments of China, the most popular nowadays include the stringed instruments called the Erhu, Guzheng, Guqin, Dizi flutes. The stringed instruments originated in foreign regions and were modified. When tourists think of their experiences in China, the poignant sounds of these Chinese instruments often colour their memories!
1.Erhu:
The Erhu will probably be the traditional instrument that you’ll be most likely to see on a trip to China. You might see it played non-professionally for entertainment in public parks and it is also played by street musicians. Peasants like it since it is comparatively inexpensive and portable. The Erhu is a kind of ‘Chinese-style violin’ with 2 strings, dating back to the Tang Dynasty (7th to 10th centuries). Traditionally it was used in opera and orchestral performances, but today it is also a popular solo instrument.
2.Guzheng:
Said to be an ancestor of the Japanese Koto, early forms of the Guzheng date back to the Warring States period of Chinese history (more than 2,500 years ago). The Guzheng is often played at opera and concert performances in China, usually, solo.
3.Guqin:
The Guqin is said to date back 3000 years, making it the oldest instrument on our list. It is often considered “The Father of Chinese Music Instruments”. The Guqin was very popular among scholars, but never really became accessible to the Chinese public!
Author’s Note
The traditional Chinese music that was used to conduct rituals has now become only focused on providing entertainment. . With the music evolving rapidly including new styles and genres like Chinese Pop (C-pop), R&B, ballads, rock, hip hop etc…. we will definitely see Chinese music reaching new heights.
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