Music World China Study Guide

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What is an era?

A time period with specific features marking the beginning and end of it.

What is a dynasty?

A lineage of rulers.

What is the order of the Chinese dynasties?

Xia, Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing

Which two dynasties had little to no musical knowledge that has survived to the modern day?

Xia and Shang

What is the ritualistic form of music established during the Zhou dynasty?

Yayue

What is the main difference between Eastern and Western Zhou government systems?

Eastern Zhou’s Government was more ceremonial and culturally focused, while Western Zhou’s government was focused more on military operations.

What aspects of the East Zhou allowed for further evolution of music?

Their more ceremonial and relaxed government allowed for more time for gathering musical knowledge and advancing it culturally.

Where was most music created, performed, and taught during the Zhou dynasty?

The Courts

What was the name of the period during the Zhou dynasty that saw a decrease in the popularity of Yayue?

Spring and Autumn Period

What was the government body created by the Qin dynasty?

The Music Bureau

What are some reasons that there was little social or cultural innovation during the Qin dynasty?

There was great political instability, and it was short-lived.

What happened to the Music Bureau during the Chu-Han contention?

It was discarded for several decades.

Who was the main group of people that both the Qin and Han interacted with?

Xiongnu

What type of music was created after extended interactions with the Han’s northern neighbors?

Early Chinese Trumpet Music

What are some instruments introduced during the Han era through trade?

Pipa, Hujia, Suona, & Lapa

Which of these instruments is a stringed instrument somewhat resembling a pear?

Pipa

What new religion was introduced during the Han era?

Buddhism

What did the resurgence of Confucianism during the Han dynasty mean for music in China?

It meant state-sponsored music and the reemergence of the music bureau.

What is another name for Yayue?

“Elegant Music”

What was the main focus of the Sui dynasty?

Reunification

What important musical concepts arose due to ideas of reunification?

Standardized Pitch

What were the two main influences for the Northern musical traditions?

Han Dynasty and Nomadic Cultures in modern Mongolia.

What was the main influence for Southern musical traditions?

Buddhism

What is the form of poetry developed in the southern region called?

Yuefu

What art form did the Sui primarily focus on?

Poetry

Which dynasty oversaw China’s Golden Age?

Tang Dynasty

What belief system caused the creation of standardized exams for political officers during the Golden Age?

Confucianism

What types of events started happening that created space for secular music?

They had more non-religious events, and more people were living in cities rather than the countryside.

What does secular mean?

Not connected with religion

What musical body was created during the Tang dynasty as power and influence was consolidated within the capital?

The Great Music Bureau

What was the new form of secular music developed during the Tang dynasty?

Yanyue

What are the 8 categories for Yayue instruments?

Silk, Bamboo, Wood, Stone, Metal, Clay, Gourd, Hide

Please list all of the Yayue instruments we discussed:

Silk: Guqin, Se; Bamboo: Dizi, Xiao, Paixiao, Chi; Wood: Zhu, Yǔ; Stone: Bianqing; Metal: Bianzhong, Fanxiang; Clay: Xun; Gourd: Sheng, Yú; Hide: Gu

What was the name of the first performing arts school that was founded during the Tang dynasty?

The Pear Garden

What ideas were created during the Five dynasties and Ten kingdoms period that the Song expanded upon?

Incorporating Foreign Culture

Why was Kaifeng an important city musically?

It was the first performance hub, as it had lots of people and places to perform.

What is the new theatrical performance style developed during the Song dynasty called?

Zaju

Why did theatre see a rise in popularity during the Song dynasty?

Because there was more people and more money in a concentrated area

What were the two forms of Ci developed during the Song dynasty?

Xioaling and Manci

What is the difference between these two poetry forms, and which was developed more during the Song dynasty?

Xioaling was shorter and faster, while Manci was slower and longer. Manci was developed more during the Song dynasty.

What empire conquered China, and the rest of the world, before the Yuan dynasty?

The Mongol Empire

What is the bowed fiddle instrument that was introduced from Mongolia during the Yuan dynasty?

Huqin

What were most Sanqu about during the Yuan dynasty?

Resentment towards Mongolian Occupation

What is the version of poetry that became popular during this time period, after being created by the Song, and acted as a precursor to Yuan Qu?

Ci Poetry

What two performing arts does Yuan Qu include?

Sanqu and Zaju

What new idea does Yuan Qu introduce into the musical world?

Padding Words, which leads to Ornamentation

How were musical exchanges from foreign interactions different during the Ming dynasty?

Instead of ideas coming in, ideas were being exported into other cultures.

What performance style did Japanese Kabuki absorb into its traditions?

Zaju

What musical style did Korean folk songs absorb into their traditions?

Yayue

What are the unique aspects of Kunqu opera?

Delicate Movements, strong lyricism, and a combination of singing and dancing.

What advancements in music theory did the Ming develop?

Equal Temperament

What new instrument was introduced to the Ming dynasty that became a staple in their musical culture?

Piano

Why was virtuosity developed during the Ming dynasty?

More people knew music

Define virtuoso.

A skilled musician who plays complex songs on their choice instrument as solos.

What is the opera style developed during the Qing dynasty?

Peking Opera

What are the four main roles within Peking Opera?

Sheng, Dan, Jing, Chou

How is the stage decorated for Peking Opera?

Sparsely

What different performing arts are included in Peking Opera?

Instrumental/Vocal Music, Miming, Martial Arts, Acrobatics, and Dance