Transcript Document

Folksongs
• Folksongs are also called Mingge.
• Folksongs begun sometime during the Ming dynasty in the
16th century.
• Three major types of folksongs:
– The Houzi (work song)
– The Shange
– The Xiao diao
Houzi
• The Houzi or occupational songs mostly consist of
working songs.
• Functions:
– To unify the physical movements.
– To break the monotony of work and encourage the working spirit.
• Styles
– Responsorial style
– Question and answer style
• Features
– Melody: repeating
– Rhythm: generally duple
– Use of exclamatory words
• Popular piece
– “Daluge”
Mountain Songs
• Mountain songs mostly originated in the mountainous
regions of southern, central and southeastern China.
• Functions:
– To tell of love or courtship
– To relieve work fatigue and to add some pleasure
• Styles:
– Solo form with free rhythm
– Question and answer styles
• Popular pieces
– “Shanlushibawan”
– “Liusanjie”
Xiao Diao
• The xiao diao is the miscellaneous folksongs that cover an
abundance of variety.
• Functions:
– For entertainment
– Sing off work and found in rural and urban areas
• Popular pieces:
– “Mengjiangnu”
– “Melihua”
Minority songs
• Different minority: different language,different culture,
different primary occupation ==> Different music style
• Minority songs: from their life and work
• Integration of dance and music
• Major minorities and their famous pieces
– Mongol: Heaven
– Tibetan: Qingzhanggeyuan