1. by Ding Yi Music Company & NYP School of Interactive & Digital Media
The Sisters’ Islands - An Introduction to Traditional Chinese Woodwind Instruments
by Ding Yi Music Company & NYP School of Interactive & Digital Media
Post-Show Kit
© The Esplanade Co. Ltd

2. The Sisters’ Islands - An Introduction to Traditional Chinese Woodwind Instruments
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Did you enjoy the performance?
What did you like about it?
Which parts did you like the best?
Which instrument was the most interesting to you?
Did the performance prompt you to find out more about traditional Chinese music?
© The Esplanade Co. Ltd

3. LET’S FIND OUT THE ANSWER TO ACTIVITY 2.
The Sisters’ Islands - An Introduction to Traditional Chinese Woodwind Instruments
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LET’S FIND OUT THE ANSWER TO ACTIVITY 2.
© The Esplanade Co. Ltd

4. GUZHENG
(Non-Woodwind)
BILI
(Woodwind)
PIPA
(Non-woodwind)
SHENG
(Woodwind)

5. Oh no! The story of The Sisters’ Islands is all jumbled up.
Can you put it in the right order?
Background image by the students of NYP – School of Interactive and Digital Media

6. A. The two tranquil islands, called Subar Laut and Subar Darat, were known as Sisters Island from that day on. B. Frightened, she ran home. The chief pirate gave chase! At the uncle's home, brandishing a dagger, the pirate made known his wish to marry Linah. C. One day, while fetching water from a well, Linah met a group of pirates! D. That night, the two sisters wept in each other's arms as their fate was sealed. When dawn broke, the chief and his men came to take Linah away. The two sisters were forced apart. E. There were two sisters, Linah and Minah who loved each other dearly. After their mother died, the sisters left their home to live with their uncle.  F. In grief, Linah dived into the sea.  G. Desperate, Minah swam after the ship to save Linah. She drowned in the stormy waters. H. The next day, the villagers were shocked to see two islands at the spot where the two sisters had drowned. 

7. Ready for the answer?

8. E. There were two sisters, Linah and Minah who loved each other dearly
E. There were two sisters, Linah and Minah who loved each other dearly. After their mother died, the sisters left their home to live with their uncle.  C. One day, while fetching water from a well, Linah met a group of pirates! B. Frightened, she ran home. The chief pirate gave chase! At the uncle's home, brandishing a dagger, the pirate made known his wish to marry Linah. D. That night, the two sisters wept in each other's arms as their fate was sealed. When dawn broke, the chief and his men came to take Linah away. The two sisters were forced apart. G. Desperate, Minah swam after the ship to save Linah. She drowned in the stormy waters. H. The next day, the villagers were shocked to see two islands at the spot where the two sisters had drowned.  F. In grief, Linah dived into the sea.  A. The two tranquil islands, called Subar Laut and Subar Darat, were known as Sisters Island from that day on.

9. Let’s take a closer look at the different Chinese woodwind instruments you saw during the show.

10. DIZI It is held horizontally and side-blown.
There are many types of dizi of different lengths.
They are usually made of bamboo.
It has a bright and sweet tone and can mimic sounds found in nature.
The earliest flutes were made of bones. Bamboo was only used starting 4, 000 years ago.

11. LISTEN
Clip 2: Listen to the sounds made by the qudi. The qudi is a type of dizi. This piece is called ‘Flying Partridge’.
Clip 1: Listen to the sounds the Chinese bamboo partridge birds make.
Compare the sounds. How similar are they?
Why do you think the song is called ‘Flying Partridge’?
How does the music make you feel?
Does it make you want to move fast or slow? Does it make you feel excited or sleepy? Silly or serious? Happy or sad? Share with your partner!
* Click on pictures to go to the videos.

12. A 16TH CENTURY PAINTING OF A WOMAN PLAYING A XIAO
It is made of bamboo.
It is held and played vertically.
Look at the instrument the woman in the picture is holding. She is playing a xiao.
State one similarity between the dizi and xiao.
State one difference between the dizi and the xiao.
Similarity – Both are blown on one end to produce a sound
Difference – one is held to the side (dizi), the other held vertically (xiao) like a recorder
A 16TH CENTURY PAINTING OF A WOMAN PLAYING A XIAO
© The Esplanade Co. Ltd

13. LISTEN How would you describe the tone produced by the xiao? Is it:
MELLOW or b) BRIGHT?
2. How does the music make you feel?
Does it make you want to move fast or slow? Does it make you feel excited or sleepy? Silly or serious? Happy or sad?
Ans:
Quality of sound: Soft and mellow
How the music makes you feel: nostalgic, sad, sense of longing, lonely.
© The Esplanade Co. Ltd

14. SHENG It is a mouth organ.
It is one of the oldest Chinese wind instruments. 
It was an important instrument in ancient music and was popular in the imperial palace and court processions.
Can you describe how the sheng looks like?
 It has many pipes.
The pipes are of different lengths.
The pipes have been described as looking like the folded wings of a phoenix bird, a mythological creature.
Image source:

15. LISTEN
The sheng is a very popular instrument in a Chinese orchestra. It can be played alongside percussion, string, bowed and other wind instruments.
Clip 2: A musician playing a modern tune - the theme song of a video game, The Mario Brothers.
Clip 1: A traditional chinese song performed on the sheng.
How would you describe the tone produced by the sheng? Is it:
MELLOW or b) BRIGHT ?
2. State one similarity and one difference between the 2 pieces you just heard. Share with your friend.
3. Did you like the 2 songs? How did the songs make you feel?

16. SUONA Look at the picture of the suona. Describe how it looks like.
It has a conical wooden body
It is a trumpet-like instrument.
It has a metal bell at the bottom end that flares out.
DID YOU KNOW?
It came from the Arabian surnay. It was brought into China thousands of years ago when trade occurred between China and the region.

17. LISTEN
1. How would you describe the tone produced by the suona? Is it:
MELLOW or b) BRIGHT AND PIERCING?
2. How does the music make you feel?
Does it make you want to move fast or slow? Does it make you feel excited or sleepy? Silly or serious? Happy or sad?

18. SUMMARISE
Recall THREE different musical instruments you learned about.
State TWO features of each of these instruments.
Share ONE reason why it is important for you to know more about traditional music and local legends.
Share ONE thing related to the topic you would like to find out more about after this lesson.
Background image by the students of NYP – School of Interactive and Digital Media

19. Suggested Extension Activity 1
There are many other legends related to some of the islands of Singapore? Do you know of anymore?
Find out more about a local legend for one of these islands and share the story with your friends by drawing a comic strip or acting out the story.
Kusu island
Pulau Ubin
Pulau Hantu
Background image by the students of NYP – School of Interactive and Digital Media

20. Suggested Extension Activity 2
Find out more about the other types of traditional instruments you can find in a Chinese orchestra or ensemble. Present your information in a gallery walk/class exhibition!
Here are some suggestions:
Percussion instruments – luo, gu, bianzhong, yunluo
Plucked-strings instruments – pipa, ruan, guzheng, yangqin
Bowed-strings instruments – jinghu, erhu, banhu, gaohu
Background image by the students of NYP – School of Interactive and Digital Media

21. Come down to the Jendela at the Esplanade for our special WORKSHOPS and FREE performances. Find out more about your local myths and legends!
TALES FROM JALAN BUANG HOE
12 Jul – 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.
Shadow Puppet performance by Jeremy Hiah
9 & 10 Aug – 2 p.m..
Shadow Puppet Performance by Jeremy Hiah and invited artiste, Heri Dono
30 & 31 Aug – 2 p.m. &
A special 1 ½ hour guided tour of exhibition and narration of all stories by Jeremy Hiah
The Jendela is located on level 2, next to the Esplanade Recital Studio.
Background image by the students of NYP – School of Interactive and Digital Media