1. The Music of Mongolia, China and Japan

2. The Music of Mongolia
And Central Asia

5. The Culture Approximately 2.5 million people
Land mass equivalent to the size of Western Europe
Many Mongols are Buddhist, and traditionally have been so

6. The Culture
Mongol people have been shaped by many adverse conditions and events
an extreme climate
nomadic tribal heritage
the vision of Genghis Khan.

7. The Music
Nomadic heritage is directly reflected in songs and other forms of music
Used to communicate with animals and spirits that are believed to inhabit natural things
Incorporates simple rhythms which mimic horses cantering

8. Xoomei throat singing
Manipulation of singer’s jaw, lips, mouth, and sinuses
Produces several overtones simultaneously in a low, growling voice
Often accompanied by the Mohrin Kuhr (bowed chordophone)

12. Mohrin Khur
Igil
Instruments
Yoochin

13. Independent Research and Listening Activity: Mongolian Music
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14. The Music of China

16. China’s rich musical history
Confucianism taught simplicity in music
Music’s sole function: to purify one’s thoughts
One single tone more significant than a melody
Until 1976 and the death of Emperor Mao

18. The Pentatonic Scale
And more activity time!

21. Instruments
Ruan
Zheng

22. Suona
Yanqin
Sanxan

23. Dizi
Erhu
Gongs, Kettle Drums,
Timpani

24. The Pipa Most prominent instrument in traditional Chinese music
Four-stringed lute used predominantly in Classical music
at the core of Chinese chamber music (sihzu)
Instruments in these ensembles included the dizi, xiao, and sheng.
Chinese chamber music is remarkably parallel in approach to Irish Celtic music’s heterophonic approach.
In heterophonic music, each musician plays a version of the same melody
Individual variations are present with each musician that plays the melody

25. Pipa

28. Chinese Opera Officially named Beijing (Peking) Opera
Blend of many different art forms
Often colorful
Often had political or militaristic themes
Those that did not present communist themes were considered “subversive” and banned