I think it is good that we had group practices before every theory class so that the teacher can gauge our playing skills and how much we know about the Gu Zheng. At the same time, it is easier for her to teach us in smaller groups so that her attention on us will be more focused. She gave us reasonable number of songs to practice for today. Only two simple songs. She allowed us to play by ourselves for the first songs then she will ask everyone to play in unison. She would even play with us so that she can guide us. It is the same for piano. If the piano teacher plays with the student, the student becomes encouraged to move on.
Theory Lesson
She gave us a score to read. Similar to the Japanese score from the Japanese elective that we took last year (Prof Ueno), the chinese text becomes a notation for the chinese instrument. Each chinese character represents a pitch, which we play on the Gu Zheng. She then introduces more Chinese songs that are of different types.
Narrative singing (show) - Narrating a story through singing. The performer may be solo where he or she plays, sings and performs on stage all at the same time. Because there was no tv or radio to rely messages, they narrate through these performances. These types of singing started from Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty.
Story telling (ping shu) - telling a story without any singing.
One thing we can be sure of in most Chinese music. It is the repetition of melody. It is interesting in how they can keep going on for an hour or two just repeating the melody. Wouldn't it bore the audience? But on the other hand, the audience might just be interested in the news or messages they convey.
Theory Lesson
She gave us a score to read. Similar to the Japanese score from the Japanese elective that we took last year (Prof Ueno), the chinese text becomes a notation for the chinese instrument. Each chinese character represents a pitch, which we play on the Gu Zheng. She then introduces more Chinese songs that are of different types.
Narrative singing (show) - Narrating a story through singing. The performer may be solo where he or she plays, sings and performs on stage all at the same time. Because there was no tv or radio to rely messages, they narrate through these performances. These types of singing started from Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty.
Story telling (ping shu) - telling a story without any singing.
One thing we can be sure of in most Chinese music. It is the repetition of melody. It is interesting in how they can keep going on for an hour or two just repeating the melody. Wouldn't it bore the audience? But on the other hand, the audience might just be interested in the news or messages they convey.
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