Suona

The zh^[a] also called zh^[b] zh or zh, is a traditional double-reeded Chinese musical instrument. The zh's basic design originated in ancient Iran, then called "Sorna". It appeared in China around the 3rd century and it's also popular in parts of northern and southern China, including Shandong, Henan, Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Northeast China, Guangdong, Fujian, and other regions. It has a distinctively loud and high-pitched sound, and was used frequently in Chinese traditional music ensembles, particularly in those that perform outdoors. It was an important instrument in the folk music of northern China, particularly in provinces of Shandong and Henan, where it has long been used for festival and military purposes. It is still being used, in combination with sheng mouth organs, gongs, drums, and sometimes other instruments in weddings and funeral processions. Such wind and percussion ensembles are called zh () or zh (; this name refers to the zh itself in Taiwanese Hokkien). It was also common in the ritual music of Southeast China. In Chinese culture it was an essential element of ritual music that accompanied Daoist performances of both auspicious and inauspicious rites, i.e., those for both the living and the dead. One of the most famous pieces that uses suona as the leading instrument is called , or "Hundred Birds Worship the Phoenix". The movie Song of the Phoenix^[1] casts the rise and fall of the popularity of zh in modern Chinese musical history. Suona music is filled with tradition and innovation, and is a timeless expression of Chinese folk culture, enriching the daily lives of folk workers.^{[citation needed]} In Mainland China, zh art was approved by the Chinese State Council to be included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage list on May 20, 2006.^[2]

Construction

The zh as used in China had a conical wooden body, similar to that of the gyaling horn used by the Tibetan ethnic group, both of which used a metal, usually a tubular brass or copper bocal to which a small double reed was affixed, and possessed a detachable metal bell at its end. The double-reed gave the instrument a sound similar to that of the modern oboe. The traditional version had seven finger holes. The instrument was made in several sizes.^[3] The zh has a bright tone, a loud volume, and a wooden tube in a round and cone-shaped shape. The upper end is equipped with a copper tube with a whistle, and the lower end is covered with a copper bell mouth.^[4] The , a related instrument that was most commonly used in northern China, consisted of a zh reed (with bocal) that was played melodically. The pitches were changed by the mouth and hands.^video Sometimes the nizi was played into a large metal horn for additional volume.^{[citation needed]} Take apart the tube, whistle, and horn to play, and each can simulate different characters, such as Laosheng, Huadan, and other voices.^[5]

Modern Construction

Since the mid-20th century, "modernized" versions of the zh have been developed in China; incorporating mechanical keys similar to those of the European oboe, to allow for the playing of chromatic notes and equal tempered tuning (both of which were difficult to execute on the traditional zh). There is now a family of such instruments, including the , , and . These instruments are used in the woodwind sections of modern large Chinese traditional instrument orchestras in China, Taiwan, and Singapore, though most folk ensembles prefer to use the traditional version of the instrument. It is used in modern music arrangements as well, including in the works of Chinese rock musician Cui Jian, featuring a modernized zh-play in his song played by the saxophonist Liu Yuan. In 1993, the famous wind musician Guo Yazhi invented the "live core" device for zh, which allowed traditional zh to play a chromatic scale and twelve tone system, enriching its expressive power.^[6]

Ranges of the orchestral "zh":

• Piccolo zh in G, F and Eb ()
• Sopranino zh in D, C and Bb ()
• Soprano zh in A and G (()
• Alto zh in F ()
• Tenor zh in C ()
• Bass zh in various keys (F, Eb etc) ()
• Contrabass zh
• Octocontrabass zh

The alto, tenor and bass varieties are normally keyed and the soprano varieties are sometimes keyed. The highest varieties are not normally keyed, but there are variants of them – usually in the key of C – that are keyed to assist in the playing of accidentals. The note played when the left hand's fingers and right index finger are covering the playing holes is considered the key of the instrument.

Use inside China

In modern, most of the performances of the zh are performed at funerals, or in national orchestras because the zh has a unique tone, a strong penetrating power, and a strong infectious power. For example, in the classic Suona piece , which is performed in orchestra.

Influence of zh on young people in the 21st century

Because of its unique sound, the zh has become one of the most popular instruments among young people today, because they can use traditional instruments to perform the modern repertoire. Nowadays, zh even appears in band performances, festival performances, music programs, movies (including Ne Zha 2, and in any other way, and is widely loved by young people.^{[7] [better source needed]}

History

Origins

Although the origin of the zh in China is unclear, with some texts dating the use of the zh as far back as the Jin dynasty (266–420), there is a theory that the zh originated outside of the domains of ancient Chinese kingdoms, possibly having been developed from Central Asian instruments such as the zh or zh, from which its Chinese name may have been derived.^[8] Other sources state the origins of the zh were Arabia,^[9] or India.^[10] A musician playing an instrument very similar to a zh was shown on a drawing on a Silk Road religious monument in the western Xinjiang province. It dates to the 3rd or 5th centuries, and depictions dating to this period found in Shandong and other regions of northern China depicted it being played in military processions, sometimes on horseback. It was not mentioned in Chinese literature until the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), but by this time, the zh was already established in northern China. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was widely circulated among the people and was mostly used in wind and percussion bands for weddings, funerals, and happy events. It was also used as an accompaniment instrument for folk songs, dances, and operas.^[4]

Other instruments related to the zh may have also descended from the Asian zurna, such as the European shawm.^[11] Other examples include the Korean ko, the Vietnamese kèn and the Japanese ja (Japanese: チャルメラ, lit. 'Suona'). The latter's name is derived from charamela, the Portuguese word for shawm. Its sound was well known throughout Japan, as it is often used today by street vendors selling ramen.^[12]

Use outside China

The zh was used as a traditional instrument by Cubans in Oriente and Havana, having been introduced by Chinese immigrants during the colonial era. Known locally as corneta china, it has been one of the lead instruments in the conga carnival music of Santiago de Cuba since 1915.^[13] In Havana, the term "trompeta china" (Spanish: trompeta china, lit. 'Chinese trumpet') was sometimes used.^[13]

In America, the jazz saxophonist Dewey Redman often played the zh in his performances, calling it a "musette". English bassist and saxophonist Mick Karn used the instrument crediting it as a dida.

In Central Asia, Egypt, Türkiye, India and other countries, zh is very popular. zh from Central Asian countries is also used for red and white celebrations, temple fairs, celebration ceremonies, and so on.^[14]

The same instrument, also called a "musette", was used in "Oriental Bands" of the Shriner fraternal organization. Dressed in "Arabic" garb with mallet drums, Oriental Bands marched in parades that featured "little cars" driven by members. They wore the Fez (hat). They arrested bystanders, gave them a whisky and let them go. The instrument was not known to be of Chinese origin, just "Oriental". Dewey Redman possibly got his soprano zh as a former Shriner import. The Shriners even supplied the reeds (which are a constant issue because every reed is different).

Playing style

There are many different ways to play the zh, as each region's zh will be different. Modern improvements have even changed the way it is made, adding keys to enhance the range and stability of the zh.

The most important aspect of the zh playing style is the breathing method, and there are currently six ways to play it:

• Circular breathing method
• Air trill
• Tooth trill
• Finger trill
• Small-arm trill
• Tongue trill

Notable performers

• Liu Qi-Chao ()
• Liu Yuan (), saxophonist with Cui Jian's band, who trained on the zh at the Beijing Art School (), and who used the instrument on Cui's 1994 album zh ()
• Liu Ying (), pioneer of Liu-style zh art

Repertoire of the zh

• “Quan Jia Fu" （全家福）
• “Tai Hua Jiao” （抬花轎）
• “Liu Zi Kai Men” （六字開門）
• “Yi Zhi Hua” （一枝花）
• “Feng Yang Ge Jiao Ba Ban” （鳳陽歌絞八板 ）
• “Tian Yue” （天乐）

See also

• Traditional Chinese musical instruments
• Guan (instrument)
• Lingm
• Zurna
• Piccolo oboe
• Rhaita
• Kangling
• Sopila
• Shehnai

Notes

1. ^ /swoʊˈnɑː/
2. ^ from Cantonese 啲咑 or 啲打, dīdá

References

1. ^ "Song of Phoenix". IMDb. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
2. ^ "zh:"乐器界的流氓"唢呐竟是来自波斯，你一定听过它的声音 - 音乐百科 - 中国音乐网". www.chnmusic.cn. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
3. ^ "Suonas musettes shawms". Lark in the Morning. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
4. ^ "zh:唢呐". 中华的声音. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
5. ^ "zh:香港電台網站 中華文化：中樂尋珍" (in zh-hk). www.rthk.hk. Retrieved 2024-06-23.
6. ^ N/A, N/A (2008). "zh:中国光学期刊网". Laser & Optoelectronics Progress. 45 (10): 67. doi:10.3788/lop20084510.0067. ISSN 1006-4125
7. ^ "SUPERBAND", 19 March 2022, retrieved 2023-11-30
8. ^ "th:ตามประสาอย่างคนที่คุ้นเคยว่าทำไมฉันเฉยเมยว่าทำไมดูเปลี่ยนไป". orichinese.com. Archived from the original on 22 April 2016. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
9. ^ "Suona – Chinese musical instrument". britannica.com. Archived 2 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
10. ^ "Introduction of Traditional Chinese Wind Instrument – Suona". Archived from the original on 2015-01-11. Retrieved 2015-03-31.
11. ^ Spohnheimer. "The Medieval Shawm". www.music.iastate.edu. Archived from the original on 2 October 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
12. ^ Charumera WorldRamen.com
13. ^ Pérez Fernández, Rolando Antonio (2014). "The Chinese Community and the Corneta China: Two Divergent Paths in Cuba". Yearbook for Traditional Music. 46: 62–88. doi:10.5921/yeartradmusi.46.2014.0062. S2CID 194578645
14. ^ "zh:唢呐与风笛（丝路音乐）-新华网". www.xinhuanet.com. Retrieved 2024-06-23.

• Wang, Min (2001). The Musical and Cultural Meanings of Shandong Guchuiyue from the People's Republic of China. PhD dissertation. Kent, Ohio: Kent State University.
• New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, second edition, edited by Stanley Sadie and John Tyrrell (London, 2001).
• Jones, Stephen (2007). Ritual and Music of North China: Shawm Bands in Shanxi Province. SOAS Musicology Series. Burlington, Vermont: Ashgate Publishing.

External links

• Suona and Bagpipe Duet – Unique Public Performance, Zhongzi Wu & Dave All, Vancouver, B.C., Oct.21, 2010.

Audio

• http://music.cn.yahoo.com/search?pid=ysearch&source=ysearch_music_result_topsearch&p=%DF%EF%C4%C5&mimetype=all^{[dead link]} Click the image of the headphones to play a track.