GEOGRAPHICAL,

HISTORICAL AND
CULTURAL
BACKGROUND OF
CHINA
Are you familiar with these?
 Chinese culture
• one of the world's oldest cultures, originating
thousands of years ago. The area over which
the culture prevails covers a large geographical
region in East Asia and is extremely diverse and
varying, with customs and traditions varying
greatly between provinces, cities, and even
towns as well.
• Chinese civilization is historically considered the
dominant culture of East Asia. With China being one
of the earliest ancient civilizations, Chinese culture
exerts profound influence on the philosophy, virtue,
etiquette, and traditions of Asia to date. Chinese
language, ceramics, architecture, music, dance,
literature, martial arts, cuisine, visual arts,
philosophy, business etiquette, religion, politics, and
history have global influence, while its traditions and
festivals are also celebrated, instilled, and practiced
by people around the world.
Chinese vocal music
• What instruments are used in the
music samples?
• Based on the music heard, who can
describe the culture of China?
Traditional Chinese music
 Music, instruments and dancing
• Music and dance were closely associated in the
very early periods of China. The music of China
dates back to the dawn of Chinese civilization with
documents and artifacts providing evidence of a
well-developed musical culture as early as the
Zhou dynasty (1122 BCE – 256 BCE). The earliest
music of the Zhou dynasty recorded in ancient
Chinese texts includes the ritual music called yayue
and each piece may be associated with a dance.
• Some of the oldest written music dates back
to Confucius's time. The first major well-
documented flowering of Chinese music was
exemplified through the popularization of the
qin (plucked instrument with seven strings)
during the Tang Dynasty, although the
instrument is known to have played a major
role before the Han Dynasty.
• There are many musical instruments that
are integral to Chinese culture, such as
the Xun (Ocarina-type instrument that is
also integral in Native American cultures),
Guzheng (zither with movable bridges),
guqin (bridgeless zither), sheng and xiao
(vertical flute), the erhu (alto fiddle or
bowed lute), pipa (pear-shaped plucked
lute), and many others.
 ELEMENTS OF CHINESE MUSIC
• Chinese music is based on the ancient Chinese
pentatonic, five-tone musical system. The five
tones are classified as: Kung, Shang, Chiao,
Chih and Yue.
• According to the Chinese theory of the Five
Elements, related to Chinese music, the tones
are connected to a myriad of cosmological
concepts, as well as the inner workings of man.
• Chinese do not see it as coincidence that
human beings have five internal organs: heart,
liver, lungs, kidneys and spleen; and five
sensory organs: mouth, nose, eyes, ears and
tongue; and five fingers on each hand.
• According to Chinese tradition, any of these
five tones can affect a human being’s internal
organs and might act as a regulatory
mechanism. Music can increase metabolism,
open thought processes, and regulate the
heart. Because everyone’s makeup is
different, one person’s internal organs are
different to the next person’s, and the music
touches people in different ways.
Elements Metal Wood Water Fire Earth

Tones Shang Chueh Yue Chih Keng

Directions West East North South Center

Seasons Autumn Spring Winter Summer Change of

seasons
Planets Venus Jupiter Mercury Mars Saturn

Emotions Grief Anger Fear Over- Anxiety

excitement
• According to the five basic tones, one can detect
different influences in the human body.
• For instance, Kung-based melodies are
classified as noble, Earth-related, and affect the
spleen. Often listening to such music makes one
tolerant and kind.
• Shang melodies are heavy, like metal,
unbending. This music affects the lungs; and
frequent listening makes one righteous and
friendly.
• Chueh-based music heralds the arrival of spring
and awakens all life anew. This kind of music
affects the liver. Listening to it makes one
kindhearted and conciliatory.
• Chih music is highly emotional, like fire. It
affects the heart. But listening to it makes one
generous.
• Yue-based tunes are melancholy, like placidly
running water. They affect the kidneys. Listening to
these tunes makes one mentally balanced and
gentle, “sad but not hurt,” and “content but not to
excess,” as the ancient Chinese saying goes. This
is what the culture of Chinese music attempts to
convey.
• No matter which emotions the music expresses,
taken to the extreme, it can harm the body and the
flow of qi energy.
• Dr. Chen has practiced traditional Chinese and
alternative medicine and acupuncture in Seattle,
Washington for more than ten years. She is
originally from Taiwan and came across the
connection between music and health when
treating asthma patients. She has lectured on
the connection between music and health since
2004.
• PICTURE WEB:
• Group the students into four then let them answer the
questions based on the given pictures.
• Relate how these aspects of Chinese culture are influenced by
history.
• How do these pictures show aspects of Chinese culture?
MO LI HUA
• What is the message of the song?
• Describe how the musical elements
and instrumental pieces reflect
Chinese culture.
• What would be the importance of music in
terms of geographical , historical and
cultural background of China?
 EXERCISE

Describe how the musical elements reflect

Chinese culture.
MUSICAL ELEMENTS

TIMBER

DYNAMICS
RHYTHM

MELODY