Qupai
Encyclopedia
A qupai is the generic term for a fixed melody
used in traditional Chinese music. The literal meaning is "named tune," "labeled melody," "titled tune," or "titled song
". Qupai are relatively brief, most comprising between 20 and 70 measures in 2/4 meter
. Many qupai are centuries old, but only a few of these have been handed down to the present.
Qupai are commonly used in Chinese opera, such as kunqu
and Beijing opera
, as well as by folk and ritual ensembles, including Jiangnan sizhu
and Taoist
ritual music. Qupai have also been used as the basis for 20th century compositions for Chinese instruments, both solo and ensemble. In these contexts these stock melodies very often serve as a basis for melodic elaboration and variation
. This variation is particularly well codified in the taoqu structure of Chaozhou xianshi music.
The Baisha xiyue
tradition of the Naxi
of Lijiang
, Yunnan
utilizes 24 qupai.
Melody
A melody , also tune, voice, or line, is a linear succession of musical tones which is perceived as a single entity...
used in traditional Chinese music. The literal meaning is "named tune," "labeled melody," "titled tune," or "titled song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
". Qupai are relatively brief, most comprising between 20 and 70 measures in 2/4 meter
Meter (music)
Meter or metre is a term that music has inherited from the rhythmic element of poetry where it means the number of lines in a verse, the number of syllables in each line and the arrangement of those syllables as long or short, accented or unaccented...
. Many qupai are centuries old, but only a few of these have been handed down to the present.
Qupai are commonly used in Chinese opera, such as kunqu
Kunqu
Kunqu , also known as Kunju , Kun opera or Kunqu Opera, is one of the oldest extant forms of Chinese opera. It evolved from the Kunshan melody, and dominated Chinese theatre from the 16th to the 18th centuries. The style originated in the Wu cultural area...
and Beijing opera
Beijing opera
Peking opera or Beijing opera is a form of traditional Chinese theatre which combines music, vocal performance, mime, dance and acrobatics. It arose in the late 18th century and became fully developed and recognized by the mid-19th century. The form was extremely popular in the Qing Dynasty court...
, as well as by folk and ritual ensembles, including Jiangnan sizhu
Jiangnan sizhu
Jiangnan sizhu is a style of traditional Chinese instrumental music from the Jiangnan region of China.-Name:The name Jiangnan sizhu is made up of two parts. Jiangnan is the traditional name for the area south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze river in southern Jiangsu, Shanghai, and northern...
and Taoist
Taoism
Taoism refers to a philosophical or religious tradition in which the basic concept is to establish harmony with the Tao , which is the mechanism of everything that exists...
ritual music. Qupai have also been used as the basis for 20th century compositions for Chinese instruments, both solo and ensemble. In these contexts these stock melodies very often serve as a basis for melodic elaboration and variation
Variation (music)
In music, variation is a formal technique where material is repeated in an altered form. The changes may involve harmony, melody, counterpoint, rhythm, timbre, orchestration or any combination of these.-Variation form:...
. This variation is particularly well codified in the taoqu structure of Chaozhou xianshi music.
The Baisha xiyue
Baisha xiyue
Baisha xiyue is one of the two surviving forms of traditional music of the Naxi people of Lijiang, Yunnan Province, China, known as "Naxi ancient music"...
tradition of the Naxi
Nakhi
The Nakhi are an ethnic group inhabiting the foothills of the Himalayas in the northwestern part of Yunnan Province, as well as the southwestern part of Sichuan Province in China....
of Lijiang
Lijiang
Lijiang may refer to:*Lijiang, Yunnan , prefecture-level city in Yunnan Province, China*Old Town of Lijiang, World Heritage Site, in Lijiang City*Lijiang Naxi Autonomous County, formerly a county in Lijiang, Yunnan, China before 2002...
, Yunnan
Yunnan
Yunnan is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the far southwest of the country spanning approximately and with a population of 45.7 million . The capital of the province is Kunming. The province borders Burma, Laos, and Vietnam.Yunnan is situated in a mountainous area, with...
utilizes 24 qupai.
Notable qupai
- Ba Ban (八板, Eight Beats)
- Huang Ying Liang Chi (黄莺亮翅, Oriole Soaring)
- Jiang Jun Ling (将军令, General's Command)
- Liu Qingniang (柳青娘, Lady Green Willow)
- Qiansheng Fo (千声佛, A Thousand Buddhas)
- Shui Long Yin (水龙吟, Water Dragon Chant)
- Wan Nian Huan (万年欢, Everlasting Joy)
- Xi Jiang Yue (西江月, Moon Over the West River)
- 巫山顶
- 即 (五三点)
- 五梆子
- 巴音杭盖
- 推辘轴
- 十番
- 四公主
External links
- Xi Jiang Yue (西江月) Moon Over the West River in Chinese Calligraphy,Big Seal Script.
- Harris, Rachel (2004). Singing the village: music, memory and ritual among the Sibe of Xinjiang. ISBN 9780197262979.
- Witzleben, John Lawrence (1995). "Silk and bamboo" music in Shanghai: the jiangnan sizhu instrumental, p.70. ISBN 9780873384995.