Normally tuned to a traditionally Chinese pentatonic major scale, the Dizi has undergone many transformations in its history.
This thin membrane marks the Dizi out from other similar flutes as it introduces overtones and increases the volume of the instrument, resulting in the sound of the Dizi cutting through busy orchestration. Although side-blown flutes have been performed in China for over 9000 years, the current construction of the Dizi is somewhat more modern due to the addition of a special buzzing membrane. East Asia also contains medium and large cymbal instruments, unique sounds that can ring out or be muted to embellish many genres of Chinese music.įlutes are among the oldest instruments humankind has made and played. Originally used for ceremonial purposes, gongs became integrated into Chinese music many centuries ago, usually in two variations: smaller with rising pitch (Xiaoluo) and larger with falling pitch (Daluo). Much like the language used from drums, “Luo” is the catch-all Chinese term for gong instruments, having a great significance to the people of East Asia. Depending on where the drum is struck (on the head or rim) different tones can be produced, which is why we’ve sampled multiple articulations within East Asia. Xiaogu denotes a smaller drum, closer in size to a tom. Hence, Dagu means big drum, and that roughly corresponds to the size of a Western marching band bass drum. An adjective is added to refer to a specific size of drum. In Chinese, “Gu” denotes the word “drum” and is the suffix for many variations of the instrument. Globally, the drum is the oldest of all musical instruments. Alternatively, choose to play individual percussion instrument patches with a greater range of expression.
#CHINESE STRINGED INSTRUMENT SOUND SAMPLES PATCH#
In East Asia you can load the Chinese Ensemble patch and use the Mixer page to balance the instruments against one another, creating your own unique ensemble combinations. These various forms of Chinese music each have specific sets of percussion instruments associated with them. These percussion instruments feature heavily throughout many common genres of performed music: Dramatic Chinese Opera, touring musicians performing in the Luogu style, spoken word Kuaibanshu accompaniment and more crowd-pleasing Beiguan works. High-pitched drums and sharp metallic tones from cymbals or wood blocks are characteristic of the country. The percussion selection of East Asia contains instruments that are typical of the styles of Chinese music. Percussion instruments are also prolific, with over 75 officially recognised variations, and that’s where we’ll begin our journey… This makes Chinese string and wind traditions especially fun to combine with Western instruments. In fact, certain instruments are specially tuned to that scale, whereas others have evolved to perform chromatically.
The 5-note pentatonic scale of Chinese music is instantly apparent and features heavily within all musical styles. Yet throughout intense periods of border conflict, the country has also taken on influences and instrumentation from its neighbours.
Thanks to centuries of relative isolation, Chinese music has developed its own recognisable style. Originally reserved for nobility, the music of China slowly moved from royal court performances into public theatres and households. Ancient artworks show instruments not dissimilar to those in modern Chinese music and there is a great deal of symbolism and religious significance attached to musical themes and instrument construction. Archeologists have discovered Asian bone flutes, chimes and bells dating back over 8000 years. There can’t be many other countries that have a musical lineage with such a rich tapestry roots reaching back through dynasties and ancient societies. The history of Chinese music must be approached with a certain reverence.
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