(b) Performer(s): Ding Boling
(c) Culture or Origin: China
(d) Orchestration: Zheng cithar
(e) One paragraph reaction to the piece that makes connections to course readings/discussion. Specifically for week two, discuss in what ways classification systems are useful (use an example of time or instruments in your response).
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The purpose of this week's blog is to discuss in which ways classification systems are useful. The ancient Chinese classification system from the Zhou Dynasty is based on ba yin (eight sounds). The idiosyncratic premise of the classification extended the relationship of the instrument and its composite materials to direction and season. According to Wade (2013), "When musicians performed on specified instruments, the 'eight sounds' were incorporated into significant rituals - not to provide musical variety, but to manifest a link with nature" (p. 35). In this musical example of a piece played on the zheng cithar, the deeper meaning to the instrumentation lies in the Southeast direction and the season of summer. Campbell (2005) states that "The sonic fabric of our world inspires us, stimulates our thoughts, and gives rise to our actions" (p. 30). Indeed, if we were to extrapolate based on the ba yin, this piece takes its place in an important summertime ritual.
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References
Campbell, P.S. (2005). Deep listening to the musical world. Music Educators Journal, 92(1), 30-36.
Vandor, I. (Ed.). (1996). Pingsha luo yan [recorded by Ding Boling]. On A musical anthology of the orient: China [CD]. France: Auvidis/UNESCO.
Wade, B.C. (2013). Thinking musically: Experiencing music, expressing culture (3rd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
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