China has a very rich and profound culture that can be traced back centuries. The deep culture has undoubtedly affected Chinese music, both traditional and modern, making it unique and diverse. Chinese society has been influenced by music in the last two millennium. Music has always been significant in Chinese culture, especially during the Zhou Dynasty when music was an important pillar of society and played many crucial roles. Music was a mean for optimising happiness or utility and was rarely for entertainment. Instead, music was used as a means for musicians to accomplish political and social goals. Music has also been used to help conduct and govern Chinese society.
Chinese music was generally simple with easy structures, that induce tranquillity and was often “smoothly continuous”. A large majority feature smoothly accelerating tempos, opposed to sharp changes in tempo. Generally the tempo slowly increases towards the conclusion of the piece or phase.
There are three types of traditional Chinese music: Chinese opera, Ensemble or Orchestra music and Solo Instrument Performance. Traditional Chinese music was written in pentatonic scales, as apposed to the heptatonic scale, which we generally base our own western music off. A pentatonic scale consists of five notes all spaced a tone or more a part. Chinese music begins with a “magnificent” entry, with a grand flourish of all of the instruments playing. During this entry they either play simultaneously for a few seconds or play loud sounding gongs or drums, this is to catch the audiences attention. After the grand opening the volume decreases as the instrument solo enters. Traditional Chinese instruments require technical finesse and precision such as the erhu (two stringed bow instrument) and dizi (flute) these instruments are displayed in the recording below.
Chinese music was generally simple with easy structures, that induce tranquillity and was often “smoothly continuous”. A large majority feature smoothly accelerating tempos, opposed to sharp changes in tempo. Generally the tempo slowly increases towards the conclusion of the piece or phase.
There are three types of traditional Chinese music: Chinese opera, Ensemble or Orchestra music and Solo Instrument Performance. Traditional Chinese music was written in pentatonic scales, as apposed to the heptatonic scale, which we generally base our own western music off. A pentatonic scale consists of five notes all spaced a tone or more a part. Chinese music begins with a “magnificent” entry, with a grand flourish of all of the instruments playing. During this entry they either play simultaneously for a few seconds or play loud sounding gongs or drums, this is to catch the audiences attention. After the grand opening the volume decreases as the instrument solo enters. Traditional Chinese instruments require technical finesse and precision such as the erhu (two stringed bow instrument) and dizi (flute) these instruments are displayed in the recording below.
Confucius was a Chinese teacher with several notions on music that are deeply embodied in Chinese music. To maintain Confucian norms of simplicity and clarity, harmony isn’t emphasized. As Confucius taught, beautiful and appropriate music is meant to promote social tranquillity. Traditional Chinese music doesn’t emphasis on rhythm or beat, because dance wasn't the intention of the music. Dancing music often orientates people towards bodily sensual and sexual drive, not the peace and tranquillity that Confucius was emphasizing.
The passing down of information was considered very important in Chinese society. Teachings are seminal for understanding traditional music. Confucius teachings states “to educate somebody, you should start with poems, emphasize ceremonies, and finish with music.” Confucius considered music the second most important subject to study; the education of rituals and ceremonies was considered the most important. His reason was because rites, rituals and ceremonies that governed society all involved music substantially. It was important to have a deep understanding about rituals and ceremonies to know the role music played in the ritual. This allowed the music to accomplish its purpose in society.
The passing down of information was considered very important in Chinese society. Teachings are seminal for understanding traditional music. Confucius teachings states “to educate somebody, you should start with poems, emphasize ceremonies, and finish with music.” Confucius considered music the second most important subject to study; the education of rituals and ceremonies was considered the most important. His reason was because rites, rituals and ceremonies that governed society all involved music substantially. It was important to have a deep understanding about rituals and ceremonies to know the role music played in the ritual. This allowed the music to accomplish its purpose in society.