Tampines Junior College Chinese Orchestra

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Instruments Introduction

A brief history of the Chinese Musical Instruments:

According to recent archaeological findings, ancient Chinese music was much more developed and sophisticated than is generally believed. Music had already been an important element in various ceremonies during the Yin (Shang) Dynasty (1550 B.C. - 1111 B.C.), and it reached one of its greatest peaks during the Zhou Dynasty (1111 B.C. - 222 B.C.).

It featured a great abundance of percussion instruments. There were also several wind instruments, but only a couple of zither type string instruments were used. All the bowed string instruments and most of the plucked string instruments first came to China from Central Asia after the Han Dynasty (202 B.C. - 219 A.D.).

The Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 A.D.) saw the first influx from Central Asia, a very important epoch in the evolution of Chinese music. However, it was during the Sung Dynasty (960 A.D. - 1279 A.D.) that Chinese music reached its maturity.

Traditional Chinese musical instruments were formerly divided into eight groups according to their materials: gourd, earthenware, hide, wood, stone, bronze, silk and bamboo. It was said that there were more than 70 different musical instruments, but many of them have been lost or unused today.

Sectional 1: Wind Instruments

a. Dizi (Bangdi, Qudi and Xindi)

A set of these instruments are often used including bangdi, qudi and xindi. They vary in size and key. The dizi or flute is made of bamboo. It is believed to have been brought in from Tibet during the Han Dynasty. It has a full, bright and smooth timbre.

b. Sheng (Zhongyin and Gaoyin)

The instrument existed as far back as 3,000 years ago. By virtue of its construction, this is the only Chinese musical instrument capable of playing various notes simultaneously. Music is produced by blowing and sucking the air through a whistle at the base.

c. Suona

This double reed instrument was brought to China by Muslim travelers 500 years ago. It is able to produce both sad and lively sounds. It can imitate the sound of bird singing.

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Sectional 2: Plucked Strings Instruments

a. Guzheng

Guzheng is popular during the Warring States. The instrument comprises 13 to 21 strings. In the orchestra, the zheng is employed when special effects such as the descending strains of cascading water is required.

b. Yangqin

Yangqin originates from Western Asia and was introduced into China during the Ming Dynasty. Two bamboo sticks are used to hit strings strung in pairs thus producing a high and tinkling timbre in its top registers, a soft and beautiful tone in the middle and a strong rich sound in the lower registers.

c. Pipa

Pipa is one of the oldest and well-known instruments in the Chinese orchestra with 2,000 years of history. It is rich in expression and has diverse performing techniques. Pipa is one of the most symbolic Chinese musical instruments.

d. Liuqin

Liuqin is also known as liuyueqin. It is a two or three-string willow-shaped plucking instrument which was popular during the Tang Dynasty. It is now improved to a four-string plucking instrument. This instrument provides the high notes in a Chinese orchestra.

e. Ruan

The ruan is a short-neck lute with a history of 1,600 years. It is known as qin pipa or ruanxian during ancient times. There are different types of ruan : daruan, zhongruan, xiaoruan and diruan.

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Sectional 3: Bowed Strings Instruments

a. Gao Hu

Also known as yuehu , is developed from the erhu by the renowned Cantonese musician, Lu Wen Cheng. The Construction is similar to that of an erhu, however it is smaller in size.The tuning of the gaohu is a perfect fourth or fifth higher than the erhu. The gaohu has sonorous and glamorous tone. It is suitable for performing Cantonese music and is a leading instrument in accompanying the Cantonese opera. It is also a common instrument in the Chinese orchestra today.

b. Erhu

The erhu is also known as the nanhu , nan being south, because the instrument first became popular in southern China. It is capable of producing a gentle but firm tone.

c. Zhonghu

The zhonghu produces music of a lower pitch. The shade of the resonator varies from circular to octagonal.

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Sectional 4: Percussion (Daji Yue)

a. Drums

The drum has been in existence since 2079BC. In the past, its function was to launch an attack during battle. There are various kinds of drum - the twirling drum, the hanging drum, the type suspended on a foot frame to be beaten with two wooden hammers and the drum on a pedestal. Drums can be made of metal, bamboo or animal skin.

b. Gong

The gong is a popular folk musical instrument. It is also known as luo. The sound from the luo or gong is produced by the mallet hitting the metal plate.

c. Cymbals

Like the luo , the cymbals or bo is mainly used in theatres and on ceremonial occasions.

d. General Percussions

Other percussion instruments include maracus, bells, wooden block, tambourine, jingles, clares, flamed drum, bamboo clippers, ban and bangu. Special effects could be created by commonly used items. For example, the sound of rain can be produced by rolling beans in a bamboo sieve and the sound of thunder can be produced by shaking a large, flat and thin zinc plate.

Acknowledgement: Singapore Chinese Orchestra Instruments' Data