MUSIC OF

CHINA
 OBJECTIVES:
• explains how the music of a Southeast Asian country relates to its
geography and culture (MU8SE-IIa-g-1)
• listens perceptively to music of Southeast Asia (MU8SE-IIa-h-2)
• sings songs of Southeast Asia (MU8SE-IIc-h-3)
• analyzes musical elements of selected songs
• instrumental pieces heard and performed (MU8SE-IIc-h-4)
China has the world's biggest
BASIC FACTS It has the biggest
temperature difference population of any country
between its northern and in the world and is the
southern borders, from the largest country in Asia.
desert in the northwest to the Almost entirely
tropical monsoon in the encompassing the East
southeast. Asian landmass.

Chinese music isconsidered as

one of the oldest music in the
world. It dates back to 3000Bc
 How is Chinese music related to its geography and
culture?

Chinese music is based on the doctrines or beliefs of

some of the Chinese philosophers. That's why
Chinese music is influenced by the philosophy, both
social and political order.
It is believe that the sound influence the harmony of the
universe( proportion in the movement of celestial bodies) sun,
moon and planet.
 Elements of Chinese Music
1. Pitch/tonal System- Most Chinese music is in pentatonic scale,
which is derived from the Ling Lun Chinese legend. It is believed
that the five-tone scale system among the Chinese is connected to
their patterns in life like their outlook in cycles of
dynasties,seasons, the five planets, and five bases of elements.
 Elements of Chinese Music
The use of pentatonic scale is based on some symbolic attributes like:

·Kung - it is the primary tone which is associated with the Emperor

·Shang - it is the tone associated with the Minister
·Chih-the tone associated with the State
·Chaio - it is the tone associated with the People
·Yu - the tone with significant Chinese objects
 Elements of Chinese Music
2. Timbre (Vocal) – In Han Chinese culture, the style of singing is usually thin and
nasal, High pitched or shrill vocal quality conveys life's adversity in the northern part
of China. In contrast of the southern part of China, life's experiences are much
lighter, so the music in South is lyrical and gentle.

3. Meter/Rhythm – Chinese music is mostly in duple rhythm or two quarter which

transmits the principle of natural "duality" like female-male or yin-yang
relationship.
 Elements of Chinese Music
4. Texture – It is generally thought that Chinese music is in homophonic
texture because it is mainly the distinguishing characteristic of early
Chinese ritual music. They play variations in melody in unison with the
vocal music and instrumental accompaniment immediately followed by
the pattern of singing. Thus, it gives the rise of heterophonic texture in
most of Chinese folk music of the Han people.
 Elements of Chinese Music
Monophony- music consisting of a single melodic line without chordal
accompaniment.
Homophony- music consisting of a single melodic line with accompaniment
Polyphony- music consisting of two or more melodic lines, each having
individual significance and independence. For E.g. two independent melodies
are sung together with or without accompaniment. ( Unison) Multiple voices
harmonically move together at the same pace.
Heterophony- single melody with two or more voices. ( Different voices one
melody) Independent Variation on a single melody by two or more voices.
 DISTINGUISHING
CHARACTERISTICS OF
VOCAL AND
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
OF CHINA
Chinese instrumental music is heterophonic in nature and it is played
with more than one instrument.

Chinese vocal music is mostly described as high pitched, thin, non-

resonant, nasal, or in falsetto and usually performed in solo or
monophonic in texture rather than in choral. Chinese vocal music
originally came from sung poems and verses with music..
 TYPES OF CHINESE VOCAL MUSIC
1. Religious Music - it is classified into two: the Buddhist Music and
Taoist Music which are the religious chants or ritual music (temple
music) played for some ceremonies like salvation and memorial
rituals.
 TYPES OF CHINESE VOCAL MUSIC
a. Buddhist Music – ( Religion) is also known as Sanskrit( Indian
Language) Music. In Buddhist music, vocal intoning is usually
referred to as "chanting music, covering verses, hymns, and liturgies."
b. Taoist Music - (School of Philosophy taught) the music is
influenced by regional folk music and it is used in ceremonial
rituals( solemn rites) like in Buddhist music.
 TYPES OF CHINESE VOCAL MUSIC
2. The Art Song - Xiaoling , “Xiao” meaning small, dawn, daybreak, know,
understand. “ling” tinkling of jade or spirit ,soul is a vocal music where a
soloist sometimes performs with a wooden clapper as an accompaniment.

3. Narrative Music - Zhugongdiao is one of the significant types of

narrative songs. The song is a story about a romantic legend accompanied by
an instrumentation like in the drum songs.
 TYPES OF CHINESE VOCAL MUSIC
4. Chinese Folk Music - describes the lives of most Han Chinese
people.
INSTRUMENTAL
MUSIC OF CHINA
 INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC OF CHINA
Traditionally, Chinese instrumental music is heterophonic; it is played with
more than one instrument or an instrument together with a voice. The most well-
known forms of instrumental Chinese music are suites and variations.
TRADITIONAL CHINESE INSTRUMENTS
Chinese instruments can be played in solo, large orchestras in court, and in
smaller ensembles like in teahouses or some public occasions. There is no
conductor in ancient Chinese musicor in any tablature performances because
music was taught aurally and memorized only by the musicians alone.
 Chordophone Instruments
It is also named as “Hu-qin”, “hu” meaning foreign or northern folk in China and “qin”
meaning a common term for all the string instruments which is a big family in Chinese
instruments.

Erhu - is a two-stringed fiddle instrument which is one of

the most well-known in the Hu-gin family. It is
sometimes called as the “Chinese violin.”
 Chordophone Instruments
Banhu-it is also known as the following: bonghu, pang-hu, qin-
hu, etc. 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.
 Chordophone Instruments
Pipa - this instrument is created for plucking. It has a short neck
and made of a wooden belly

Ruan - it is also known as the Chinese guitar and

moon guitar and it varies in shape
 Chordophone Instruments

Yueqin - it came from ruan but it has a

thinner sound with a short neck and flat
sound box.
The Zither Family
Guqin - is a seven-
stringed instrument
which has a long
andslender body
made from a pine
tree.
The Zither Family
Zheng - is one of the
earliest Chinese musical
instrumentsmade from
bamboo. This instrument
has a curved and elongated
surface with 21 stretched
strings.
 The Membranophone Instruments
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.
 The Membranophone Instruments
Pengling - Percussion instrument consisting of two bells made of bronze.
It adds beauty to rhythmic instruments in music ensembles and theatre.
 The Membranophone Instruments
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.
 The aerophone InstrumentsZ
Dizi - is considered a traditional Chinese flute which can be played through
double or triple tonguing, fluttered, and tonguing and fluttered.
 The Idiophone InstrumentsZ
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.
 The Idiophone InstrumentsZ
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.
Chinese Folksong
 mo li hua
Chinese Folk songs Mo Li Hua

"Mo Li Huo" is a Chinese folk song which means a jasmine flower. The folk
song describes the purity and fragrance of the jasmine flower.
The folk song is sung in a 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.
 Mo Li Hua
Chinese Folk songs Mo Li Hua
Functions and cultural characteristics of Chinese musical
compositions

Chinese compositions were mainly part of their religious rites and ceremonies,
like salvations and memorial rituals held in courts, temples, and monasteries.
Based on Confucian philosophy, they believed that "music can be used as a
means to political and spiritual enlightenment" (Confucius).
Functions and cultural characteristics of Chinese musical
compositions
• Ya-yiieh – It is the music played in court of China.
• Yiieh-hsuan – Music played in the garden facing the hall together these two
dances
• Tangko – Performed inside the hall a chamber song in honor to the king and
his ancestors.
• Wen-wu – A civil dance
• Wu-wu – a military dance
I.Written Activity (10 points)

Directions: Answer the following question in essay form. Your essay should be as well
organized and as carefully written as you make it. You will be graded based on the given
rubric.

How Chinese music relates to its geography and culture?

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I.Assesstment
Directions: Essay – Search on youtube the given links below. Listen perceptively to one
of the famous music of East Asia, the Chinese folk song “ Mo Li Hua”. Describe the
Chinese folk song “ Mo Li Hua” in essay form. You will be graded based on the given
rubric.

Mo Li Hua - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9S41_Veb3LA

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 谢谢你

Xiè xiè nín

Thank you