Western Classical Music vs. Traditional Chinese Music

Western Classical Music vs. Traditional Chinese Music

Cultures and traditions from the East and the West in ancient and modern times have influenced how individual form of music is being interpreted. The logic behind rendering each music genre also demonstrates stark disparity.

Western Classical Music Traditional Chinese Music

A music performance is dominated by the conductor. The sheet music contains detailed instructions covering the skill, rhythm, and timbre of every instrument.

Each instrument plays its own tune. In the case of a symphony orchestra, the main melody can be executed by instruments of miscellaneous parts and categories, depending on the composition. There are diversified formats and structures of ensemble that consists of other kinds of instruments. Instead of being led by the conductor, the ensemble is guided and harmonised by the main instrument. The musician takes the duo role of performer and composer, allowing vast space for spontaneous music expression.

The same sheet music is shared among players of different instruments. Recited in a rather vague manner, it merely serves as a means of recording. Musicians are not required to follow every single note meticulously.

Beethoven Symphony No. 9 –Movement 4

“Atmospheric Music Theatre” by Law Wing-fai and Śūnyatā – Part 3 (Performed by Wuji Ensemble)

On Chinese Music ΠSi Zhu Music (Silk and Bamboo Music)

Chinese music instruments can be broadly classified as two categories: Si (silk) and Zhu (bamboo). Si Zhu therefore serves as a generic term for Chinese music instruments.

Si (silk):

In ancient times, it referred to stringed instruments including qin and se. In modern days, it covers such stringed and plucked instruments as huqin, pipa and guzheng.

Zhu (bamboo):

In those days, Zhu mainly referred to instruments made with bamboo: xiao, sheng and yu, etc. But it also includes the contemporary dizi.

Si Zhu Music:

It roughly refers to an orchestra comprising stringed instruments - pipa, yangqin, guzheng and huqin, etc. - as well as woodwind ones such as dizi, xiao, and sheng. Si Zhu can be further divided into two major schools: Cantonese and Jiannan (South of Yangtze River).

Cantonese Music:

This is a style of instrumental music originates from Pearl River Delta of Guangdong Province. In 1920’s, prevalent instruments included erxian, tiqin, yueqin, sanxian, and hengzi (transverse flute). Such arrangement is commonly known as “the fiveinstrument ensemble.”

Jiangnan Si Zhu:

Jiangnan Si Zhu prevailed among Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Zhejiang. Popular instruments include erhu, pipa, yangqin, sanxian, zhonghu, qinqin, xiao, dizi and sheng. Wooden clapper and small drum are also employed for percussions.

“In the orchestra that combines the five-instrument ensemble of Cantonese Music and Jiangnan Sizhu, each instrument alternates from the leading and supporting role from time to time, clapping the beat and enhancing the beauty for each other.”

Law Wing-fai

hengdi sanxian