The history of traditional Chinese music and Chinese musical instruments can date back about 4,100 years. Traditionally, Chinese musical instruments were classified by the material of which they were made, they include skin, gourd, bamboo, wood, silk, earth/clay, metal and stone.
Similar to a western music instruments. Taoism music instruments is part of traditional Chinese instruments family and also have four sections: Bowed-strings, Plucked-strings, Woodwind, Percussion. The four sections combine together to produce the finest tune for the audience. Nowadays, a few western instruments have also been incorporated into the orchestra, like the cello and double bass, as an alternative to their Chinese version, to provide lower notes which are necessary for a better instrumental blend.

The contents below talk about the following subjects:
1. Plucked-string Instruments
2. Bowed-string Instruments
3. Woodwin/Percussions Instruments
4. Taoism Music Teaching Classes in Mt. Wudang

Taoism musical instruments can therefore categorized by the method of their sound production. Thus, woodwind instruments are blown, plucking instruments are plucked, string instruments are bowed and percussion instruments are struck.

1. Plucked-strings Instruments

1-1. Zheng
The Zheng, commonly known as Guzheng, is a plucked string instrument that is part of the zither family, related to the Japanese koto, the Vietnamese dan tranh and the Korean kayagum. In fact, the guzheng is one of the most ancient Chinese musical instruments that recorded in written documents in the Qin dynasty (about 220 BC). Due to its long history, the zheng has been called guzheng or Gu-Zheng where "Gu" stands for "ancient" in Chinese.

The zheng is a movable-bridge zither, and the most dynamic solo instrument in China. Its repertory ranges widely, from ancient pieces in a style similar to those for qin, to various regional styles related to folk songs & operas, and on to a large body of newly-composed music for the instrument. The technique can be quite complex, especially in the newer music.

Some traditional models have 13 to 16 strings, whereas more modern designs can have as many as 30 strings. The 21-string variety is now considered the standard.

Zheng (Guzheng) is build with a special wooden sound body with strings arched across movable bridges along the length of the instrument for the purpose of tuning. In the early times the zheng had 5 string; later on developed into 12 to 13 strings in the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907AD) and 16 strings in the Song and Ming dynasty (from the 10th to 15th century). The present day zheng usually has 21-25 strings. The guzheng has been a popular instrument since ancient times and is considered as one of the main chamber as well as solo instruments of Chinese traditional music.

Tuning: The pitch of a given string is determined by the position of the bridge, therefore, Guzheng can in principle be tuned to any desired scales. Traditionally, pentatonic scale is used. The instrumentalist plucks the strings with the right hand and touches the strings with the left hand to produce the desired pitch and create subtle tones and ornaments. Full scale can also be obtained by skilfully applying press on certain strings from the other side of the bridge with the left hand.

Techniques: Guzheng player attaches a little plectrum on each finger using a special tape. For traditional repertoires, the instrumentalist mostly uses three fingers of the right hand for plucking whereas the left hand pressing the string from the other side of the bridge to create special tonalities and ornaments. For some contemporary repertoires, both hands are needed to produce complicated harmonies using four fingers of each, which means that even the fingers of the left hand need to ware plectrums.

1-2. Kong Hou

One of the most ancient Chinese music instruments that appeared in written texts of the Spring and Autumn period (around 600 BC). The structure of the Konghou looks similar to the harp, however, with its bridges spanning the strings in the way similar to guzheng. There were three kinds of Kong Hou: horizontal konghou, vertical konghou and phoenix-head konghou. Unfortunately not much of this ancient instrument has been preserved. The reproduction of the konghou started in the mid 50's. The structure of Today's konghou is a combination of vertical konghou and horizontal konghou with the shape similar to harp. The performing skill is diversified. Besides right-hand techniques, the left hand can play vibratos, glissandos, etc. The tone quality is mellow and graceful and has a typical Chinese flavor.

1-3. Pipa
The pipa is a fairly large lute-like instrument with large frets and a broad finger-board. It was introduced into China from Central Asia prior to the T'ang Dynasty, and has both a "literary" and a "martial" repertory. This fine recording illustrates both:

In this case, there are other recordings available on Western labels, although the present one is clearly superior. I have seen none from China, oddly enough.

The pipa is a four stringed lute with a pear-shaped body. Its short, bent neck has 30 frets which extend onto the soundboard, offering a wide range (3.5 octavos). This instrument appears in texts dating up to the second century B.C. There are a lot of written texts of the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) about pipa music played and the stories that inspired the composition for those pipa pieces. Since the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the pipa is one of the most popular Chinese instruments, and has maintained its appeal in solo as well as chamber genres. The pipa technique is characterised by spectacular finger dexterity and virtuosi programmatic effects. Rolls, slaps, pizzicato, harmonics and noises are often combined into extensive tone poems vividly describing famous battles or other exciting scenes. The instrument is also capable of more lyrical effects in pieces inspired by poetry, landscapes and historical themes. Pipa music has been loved by Chinese people through centuries and there used to be a large repertoire of pipa music, a lot of them were lost, and some of them were handed down from generation to generation through individual artists and scholars

1-4. Ruan
A very ancient four-stringed moon-shaped lute with long and straight neck and various number of frets, dated back at least to Qin Daynasty (around 200 BC). Ruan is used to be called "p'i-p'a" (pipa) or qin-pipa. Since the introduction of the oud-like lute through the "silk-road" in the early Tang Dynasty (around 5th century), the pipa gradually developed into the present form, and the old form of pipa with straight-neck and round body got the name "Ruan", after the name of the master player of this instrument, Ruan Xian who was one of the seven great scholars known as "The Seven Gentlemen in the Bamboo Forest" in Chinese history of the 3rd century (the Six Dynasties). They were truely good friends. Ruan Xian and Ji Kang, master of guqin (Chinese 7-stringed zither), are most famous for their musical achievements and the life as true artists. The Ruan is mostly used for Peking opera, and now also in modern Chinese orchestra. There are family of ruan of various size including "Zhong Ruan" (middle Ruan) and "Da Ruan" (large Ruan) used in the same sense as viola and cello in western orchestra

1-5. Guqin
A seven-stringed zither without bridges, the most classical Chinese instrument with over 3000 years of history. It is literally called qin yet commonly known as "guqin" where "gu" stands for ancient. Confucius (around 600 BC) was a master of this instrument. To learn to play qin used to be regarded as a very important element for education for the purpose of enriching the heart and elevating human spirit. In Imperial China, a scholars and ladies of the high society were expected to master the four arts, namely, the qin (guqin), qi (weiqi or Go), shu (Calligraphy), and hua (painting). The guqin has historically been regarded as the symbol of Chinese high culture. Unfortunately only small number of people in China could play the instrument, because classical musical education of this kind has never reached general public. The situation for today has not been improved much, which is a shame. The situation for lute pipa was similar. Due to this reason, a lot of ancient repertoire were lost with the pass-away of masters or the written scores were burned or destroyed in war or turmoil. However, the guqin repertoire has been better preserved than all other instruments.

2. Bowed-strings Musical instruments

2-1. Erhu
The erhu is a two-stringed fiddle which, although said to be introduced by foreigners, has a long history in Chinese music. Although it has historically been associated with the lower classes, and so does not have the same sort of abstract repertory as the instruments above, it has attained a more universal status in the twentieth century.

The most prominent role for the instrument remains in Chinese opera, although the solo repertory is growing.

The sound body of the erhu is a drum-like little case usually made of ebony or sandalwood and snake skins. It usually has a hexagonal shape with the length of approximately 13 cm. The front opening is covered with skin of python (snake) and that of the back is left open. The functions of this case of resonance are to amplify the vibrations of the strings. The neck of the erhu is about 81 cm long and is manufactured with the same materials as the drum. The top of the stem is bent for decoration. The two tuning handles (pegs) are found close to the end of the stem. There is no frets (as contrast to the lute) or touching board (as contrast to violin). The player creates different pitches by touching the strings at various positions along the neck of the instrument. The strings are usually made of silk or nylon. Nowadays, metal strings are commonly used. The bow is 76 cm long and is manufactured of reed which one curves during cooking, and arched with horse hair in the same way as the bow of violin. However, in the case of erhu, the horse hair runs between the two strings. In another word, one cannot take off the bow from the instrument unless one of the two strings is taken off or broken.

3-1 Di Zi
(pronounced dee-ch) is the Chinese version of flute traditionally made of bamboo (occasionally of wood). It is believed to have been brought in from Tibet during the Chinese Han Dynasty and since then it has been used over the past 2,000 years in China. The Chinese character for this flute (Di, Dizi) generally means sideblown or transverse flute. In the West this kind of flute would be classified as an Aerophone. The Di Zi is available at different keys. Many different sizes of the flute are therefore made to facilitate the change of the keys and the playing range of each key spans nearly two octaves plus a fifth. A Di Zi in C-key is relatively longer than a Di Zi in F-key. There is also a piccolo sized Di Zi. A Di Zi usually has 6 finger holes for playing and three other holes including a blow hole. It has a reed-membrane covering a hole between the blow hole and the highest finger hole. This membrane gives the Di Zi a reedy and bright timbre, particularly familiar throughout China. The player plays the flute by blowing across the mouth piece and produces different notes by stopping the six holes found on the rod. The player uses several distinct playing techniques: fluttered tonguing, double tonguing, triple tonguing, combinations of tonguing techniques and fingering techniques. A skilled player will also use circular breathing.The Di Zi is used both in ensemble with other Chinese instruments as well as a solo instrument.

3-2 Hu Lu Si
Hu Lu Si is a very special folk musical instrument, widely popular among Dai, Yi, Archang and other minority people who generally live in southern China bordering Vietnam, Burma. It belongs to reed pipe musical instrument category, suitable for playing the folk music and dancing tunes. At one end of the instrument is a gourd used as the sound box. Three bamboo pipes of different length stick into the gourd in parallel, with brass reed positioned in the last section of the pipe. The middle bamboo pipe is relatively long, with 6 holes along the front side and one hole at the back side.

When blowing Hu Lu Si from the outside end, the fingers can choose to cover the different holes, while the two-side pipes will produce

3-3. Xiao(Suona)
The instrument often popular called laba (trumpet). firstly appeared in the Wei and Jin period (200-420). Yet it has found great favor ever since the Zhengde period (1506-1520) of the Ming dynasty. Owing to its large volume and strident, penetrating tone quality, the suona is most appropriate for the ardent and lively style, especially for the imitation of the singing of hundreds of birds. Experienced Players can control their breath with double lips to produce the characteristic soft tone (called the tone of xiao) for plaintive or sentimental effect. A smaller high-pitched variety known as haidi (sea flute) is a fourth higher in range than the common type. In the modern Chinese orchestra the suona has its revised alto and bass varies with added keys.
The instrument is commonly used in the accompaniment to local theaters or singing and dancing, and also for solos or ensembles on such occasions as weddings, funerals or other ceremonies and celebrations.

3-4. Drum
The Paigu often comes with a prefix wuyin (five-tone) or liuyin (six-tone). Its type is out of the folk medium-seized and small-sized tanggu (hall drum). The set of five or six barrel-shaped drums, with drumheads of different diameters at each end, is normally arranged in a row of adjustable metal frames, in a sequence of sizes (pitches). Colorful decorative patterns with the background in red are painted on the shells of the drums. The pitch of each drum can be controlled either by the devices on both ends for wuyin paigu and one end for liuyin paigu changing the tension of the drumheads, or by rotating the wuyin paigu's shell upside down on the frame to allow the use of the opposite head that can turn into a different pitch. Ten different pitches can therefore be available on five drums. The Paigu is appropriate for heating jubilation. Modern virtuosos, with two beaters, can produce any rapid beats in sophisticated and variable rhythms and timbres on these drums.

Like many other oriental musical ensembles, the classic Chinese orchestra uses a wide variety of percussion. Some examples are the Paigu, which is a set of Chinese drums with all pitches and sizes. The Chinese drum has been in existence since 2079 BC. In the past, its function was to launch an attack during battle. There are various kinds of drum - the twirling drum, the hanging drum, the type suspended on a foot frame to be beaten with two wooden hammers and the drum on a pedestal. Drums can be made of metal, bamboo or animal skin.

3-5 Gong
The Chinese Gong is a popular folk musical instrument. It is also known as Luo or Tong Gu. The sound from the Luo, Gong, or Tong Gu is produced by the mallet hitting the metal plate.
Chinese Gongs are round percussion instruments made of brassis. Originally a ritual instrument of southeast Asia, it was introduced to China during the Han dynasty's military expeditions. It is remarkable for its metal workmanship and ornamentation.
The diameter of a Gong varies from 3 to 4 inches to 3 to 4 feet. Big gongs are played with a hammer which is wrapped in cloth, whereas small gongs are played with bamboo or wooden sticks. The instrument is commonly used in traditional operas and folk music. There are many different types of Chinese Gongs:

3-6. Copper Cymbals
It was called "copper cymbals" and "copper plate", etc. in ancient times and appeared in the Northern and Southern Dynasties. In the early sixth century, it became very popular in folk arts. It is made of copper. It sounds by vibrating when being tapped. Its sound is very loud and deep. When playing, the player holds one cymbal on each hand and tap each other.


3-7. Bell
The bell - Chinese "Zhong", is not only a musical instrument in ancient China, but a ritual device as well, symbolizing status and power. It belongs to the middle metal category in the ancient classification of "eight notes". By striking it at the middle and the sides, you may get two sounds of different frequencies for each striking. Ancient people adjusted its pitch at the sensitive positions of joint lines by changing the thickness of the wall of the bell. The bell is played on a stand.

4. Taoism Music Teaching Classes
Wudang Taoism music features enchanting and magic power to many audience, thus making up of a heavy atmosphere of Taoist culture. In most of circumstances, it can harmonize all elements and congregate them to form a unified one, the flowing creeks, the green mountain, the floating fog, the solemn temple complex, and the historic Taoism figures. It seems there is no any exception. So, Zhang Wei, the famous Chinese poet, told of his feeling as “Celestial music suddenly heard of as of from above the heaven, the mountain fog all seems to be flowing into deep caves.” Wudang Taoism music develops in company with various Taoism rituals and gradually transformed into many styles, such as solo, intonate, leading chorus, unison, blowing, orchestra, etc.

Now, in cooperation with Purple Heaven Palace , we sponsor classes teaching traditional Taoism musical instruments which are made up of four sections: Bowed-strings, Plucked-strings, Woodwind, Percussion. All of them can be categorized by the method of their sound production. Thus, woodwind instruments are blown, plucking instruments are plucked, string instruments are bowed and percussion instruments are struck. The following instruments are traditional musical instruments in a Chinese orchestra.

1. Bowed-strings Instruments: Erhu
2. Plucked-strings Instruments: Guqin (Qin), Zheng, Pipa, Konghou, Ruan
3. Woodwind and Percussion instruments: Di Zi, Hu Lu Si, Sheng, Suona, Paihu, Gong, Cymbals, Chinese Bells.

Taoism Music Instruments Teaching Classes Schedule

Notes: Stuents are welcome to choose the instruments they lke to learn. The tuition fee for each session is U$550.00(Food and accommodaton costs are not included). Two classes each day, each lasting two hours and a half. If intending to learn more after one session, students are welcome to extend the study duration and the costs can be discussed upon a relatively-accepted basis.