Chinese Music
Traditional Chinese music emphasizes proper inflection and articular of each one. Melody and tone are very important aspects of traditional chinese music. Much of this is based on the fine tone and seven tone seal. Traditional Chinese music produces unique sounds that effect the variations in the tone quality, beat, and embellishments.
Traditional Instruments
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Most of the traditional instruments are either:
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Bowed: Huqin, Erhu, Zhonghu
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Struck: Yangqin, Zhu, Nuijinqin
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Plucked: Guqin, Guzheng, Konghou
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Tradition Chinese Orchestra
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The ancient form of the orchestra was to play a form of ceremonial music known as yayue. It featured a great abundance of percussion music. There were also several wind instruments, but only a few zither type string instruments.
Yayue meaning elegant music and was originally a form of classical Chinese music that was performed at imperial courts.
Modern Chinese Music History
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In the 20th century after the imperial China there were many modern day changes to traditional music. Most westerners and ever Chinese consider traditional music to be dated to this period. The modernization of Chinese music involved the adoption of some aspects of western forms and values. Many changes were made to instruments to their tuning. However, some forms of tradition Chinese music remained traditional and are little changed.
Modern Chinese Orchestra
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The modern Chinese orchestra first developed out of Jiangnan sizhu in the 1920’s into a form that is based on structure and principles of a western symphony orchestra but using Chinese instruments. The orchestra is divided into four section – wind, plucked, strings, bow strings and percussion, and usually provides modernized traditional music called guoyue. This term means national music, became popular in the early 20th century and was used loosely to include all music written in Chinese instruments in response to nationalistic consciousness.
