Transcript MUSI 207 China Chapter 4 The Music of China Update: Chapter Presentation Self Reflection (bonus) Chapter Presentation (p.

MUSI 207
China
Chapter 4
The Music of China
Update: Chapter Presentation Self Reflection
(bonus)
Chapter Presentation (p. 88-114)
Importance of Written Language and
History
Highly Specific Musical Systems with
Codifications at Many Levels
Music and Politics
Importance of Written Language
and History
A non-alphabetic ideographic script meant that
Chinese could be used by neighbors with totally
different languages, and that classics written
centuries earlier could be understood by
contemporary readers. This led to a great regard
for history, high status for scholar-officials, and an
imperial state system based on bureaucracy. Each
dynasty had its own historical records, much of
which provided musical documentation.
Highly Specific Musical Systems
with Codifications at Many Levels
This includes stock character types in
theatrical genres, particular musical
styles used in specific contexts,
instruments used in standardized
ensembles, solo instrumental traditions,
each with its own special notation,
repertoire, and idiomatic technique.
Music and Politics
Music and politics have long been interconnected.
Confucius (551-479 B.C.E.) believed that proper music
(i.e., ritual music played in unison with long, broad
rhythms, slow tempo, and simple melodies) was
capable of promoting proper behavior, while
“extravagant music” (i.e., loud, fast music) could
stimulate excessive, licentious behavior. Mao Zedong
also believed in music as an important educational tool
for the propagation of state ideology, rather than the
expression of virtue.
For next class
Finish Chapter 4 (p. 114-131)
Chapter Exam is due Friday
Review some of the D2L
PowerPoint presentations.
Music in the soul can
be heard by the
universe.
-Lao Tzu