University of Nanking - Linguist Yearbook (Nanking, China)

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THE LINGUIST 15 All ancient book on education states that thirteen is the proper age for a boy to begin the study of music. All definite knowledge of ancient musical history and all the ancient Chinese music were lost in B. C. 200 when all Chinese books were destroyed by the edict of the Emperor. Even now old scholars feel that music is a lost UPU. though during the centuries since the great destruction a new system Of music has developed that is worthy of the best Chinese traditions. The five tones that we think of as Do, CRP, Mi, Sol, La, form the present scale of music. These five notes carry with them a wealth of mefmillg to the Chinese musician, as the following quotation from a Chinese book on music, translated by Mrs. Richards, will show. DO is earthg its symbol a Prince, its nature faithfulness, its taste Tglletlg lg color yellow, its business is with thought, position central, its n Q , its sound heavy but easy, like a cow lowing at drinking water, lt IS feunded on union. H RB is mineralg its symbol a minister, its nature righteousness, its c0l0l' white, its business is with speech, its position is westerly, its taste lmlltlellt. its length 72, its sound clear and quick, like a sheep , lavmg lost its companiong it is founded on expansion. ill' , uM'l is V05-fetahlei its symbol a subject, its nature love. Its taste sour, its color green, its business is with appear- ill duces- UTS position is eastern, its length 64, its sound is Mig, defensive and careful like a pheasant lighting on a branch. It ls founded on courage. Sol is fire, its symbol affairs, its nature worship, its Faste bitter, its color Vermilion, its business is with seeing, its position is southern. its length 54, its sound is overflowing and quick, like a pig Sorefl-millgg it is founded on independence. ' . Lal is watery its symbol things, its nature knowledge, its taste salt, its Color black, its business is with hearing. UFS Posltlon IS 1l0l'llh0I'l1, i'0S length 48, its sound is scattered and hollow, like a horse nelglllllg in the deserts it is founded on putting forth. Again we read, Listening to Do one feels comfortable and broadg to RH one feels upright and fond of righteousness: to Mi one feels pity and l0ve: to Sol one feels fond of doing good: to La one feels Correct and fond of religionf'

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I 4 CHINESE MUSIC the result of many years spent in the accumulation of material taken directly from Chinese books on music, and also interesting illustrations of the music of thc people. Music with the Chinese has had a real mission from its earliest history. As in most countries, music in China was primarily used in the worship of the gods. According to the legend of the twelve tones of the Phwnix, the first two notes were used in the worship of the spirits of the sky, the second two in the worship of the earth. the third i11 the worship of Wifi ' 1 ' 1 n l , l Pliulo l1y.lI'ission Photo llurcan M usiclnns of Old Catlmy the points of the compass, the fourth in worshipping the spirits of- the mountains and rivers, the fifth in worshipping the spirits of female ancestors, and the siXfh in worshipping the spirits of male ancestors. Music from the earliest time has been considered indispensable in the worship of Heaven and lC21l'lh. at funerals, at weddings, and at state funetions of all kinds. Before the time of Confucius QB. U, 5001 music was one of the six arts. Confucius is known to have accompanied himself while singing.

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16 CHINESE MUSIC It is interesting to note the great difference between Chinese music and the music of the West. The five notes of the Chinese scale sound to thc car of a foreigner monotonous and weird. We delight in extremes The Chinese musician is a true son of Confucius in his loyalty to thc Golden Mean. We demand harmony, To the Chinese harmony means a combination of instruments, never a combination of several tones on one instrument. A church organist in China finds it wise to play only the air of the hymn to be sung, for the congregation becomes hopelessly confused, not knowing whether the bass. tenor, alto, or soprano is the tune to be sung. ' The following is a typical popular air in China. Mrs. Richards suggests that this air, known as Ba Bam is sung by more people than any other one tune in the world. ., Chinese harmony, as has been said, is produced by a combination of instruments that are typically Chinese. All eight varieties may be heard among musicians to-day. In the time of the earliest music we find that stone instruments and jade flutes were used in state ceremonies. The musical stones, made like a carpenters square and suspended in two rows of sixes, are used in the temple services. Bells cymbals and gongs belong to a group of metal instruments used on many and varied occasions. The silk stringed instruments include the ever-present fiddle, the moon guitar, and the highly esteemed Chin, which is made by stretching seven silk strings over a curved board. This instrument is played only by the educated class and is reserved for state occasions. fOoncluded on page 1223