ANTH 204 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Chinese Civil War, Peking Opera, Erhu
Document Summary
Chinese languages are related but mutually unintelligible despite using same writing system. Chinese culture: most people live in eastern china. Zones divided into smaller regions with sub-cultures and ethnic groups. Regional distinctions in chinese traditional and classical music. Instrumental music: classification system contains eight categories (bayin). Wood, bamboo, metal, stone, clay, skin, silk, and gourd. Ensemble named after the instrument categories used (e. g. , silk and bamboo ensemble). Melodies that can be sung or played as solo piece or in ensemble settings with or without accompaniment. Theatrical or narrative music: many songs have programmatic titles. Played by in informal settings (private clubhouses or meeting rooms) for the musicians" pleasure (not necessarily for an audience). Music that ordinary people can perform without harming their social reputations. Professional musicians traditionally viewed as low social status. Readily accessible (easy to play and hear melodies). Four essential instruments: two-string bowed fiddle with hexagonal-shaped resonator with python-skin cover (erhu).
