"Ancient music refers to the musical cultures and practices that developed in the literate civilizations of the ancient world."
The music of ancient China, including its instruments, scales, genres, and cultural significance.
History of Ancient China: Understanding the political, social, and cultural context in which ancient Chinese music flourished.
Zhou Dynasty: The Zhou dynasty is considered to mark the beginning of the classical period of music in ancient China.
Qin Dynasty: The Qin dynasty is known for its influence on music through the creation of standardized tuning systems for musical instruments.
Han Dynasty: This era saw the emergence of new musical instruments and the creation of a new form of music known as "yuefu.".
Tang Dynasty: The Tang Dynasty is known for its poetry, which has a strong connection to Chinese music.
Instruments of Ancient Chinese Music: Familiarizing oneself with the different types of musical instruments used in ancient Chinese music, including stringed instruments, wind instruments, and percussion.
Modes of Ancient Chinese Music: The mode system used in ancient Chinese music is based on five notes, and each mode is associated with a specific season or emotion.
Notation Systems: Understanding the different notation systems used in ancient Chinese music and how they have evolved over time.
Musical Forms: Familiarizing oneself with the various forms of ancient Chinese music, including solo pieces, chamber music, and ensemble performances.
Religious and Ritual Music: Exploring the role of music in religious and ritual contexts, such as funerals, ancestor worship, and court ceremonies.
Folk Music: Understanding the folk music traditions of ancient China, including ballads, work songs, and dance music.
Influence of Confucianism and Taoism: Understanding how Confucianism and Taoism influenced music during the ancient Chinese period.
Musical Philosophy: Exploring the philosophical concepts of music in ancient Chinese culture, including the relationship between music, nature, and the human spirit.
Performing Arts: Understanding the relationship between music and other performing arts such as dance, acrobatics, and opera.
Musical Education: Understanding the role of musical education in ancient Chinese society and how it has evolved over time.
Chong: A ceremonial music played during big occasions such as coronations and banquets, utilizing stringed instruments such as zithers and pipa.
Ya: A type of court music with distinctive sound and instrumental arrangements played in various ceremonies.
Zhengyi: A type of music played in Taoist rituals to invoke spirits; it involves bells, chimes, and other percussion instruments.
Dizi music: A type of music that uses Chinese bamboo flutes in playful and upbeat melodies.
Qupai: A musical recording method and notation system used for passing down traditional melodies.
Shijing: An ancient songbook with accompanying musical notation that includes hymns, odes, and other forms of poetry.
Jiangnan Sizhu: A type of chamber music originating from Jiangnan Province, played with pipas, erhus, and other stringed instruments.
Nanguan: A type of music originating from Fujian Province, with a slow tempo and mellow sound.
Beijing Opera: A traditional form of theatre that features distinctive vocalizations and acrobatic choreography.
Xianshi Daoqing: A type of Daoist music that features vocalizations and a gourd wind instrument called xun.
"...lasting until the Post-classical era..."
"...China (the Shang, Zhou, Qin and Han dynasties), Egypt (the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms), Greece (the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic periods), India (the Maurya, Shunga, Kanva, Kushan, Satavahana, and Gupta dynasties), Iran/Persia (the Median, Achaemenid, Seleucid, Parthian and Sasanian Empires), the Maya civilization, Mesopotamia, and Rome (the Roman Republic and Empire)."
"...frequently characterized by monophony, improvisation and the dominance of text in musical settings."