Korean Xiqinyishu
01 · Historical Records
Korean ethnic xiqin art is a traditional form of music transmitted mainly in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, Jilin Province, and is also inherited in Korean residential areas in Heilongjiang, Liaoning and other provinces. The xiqin is a Korean bowed string instrument, also called "huqin", "jiqin" or "xihu". Tradition holds that it was created by the Xi tribe in northeastern China in ancient times, hence the name "xiqin". By the 15th century the xiqin had already become a representative traditional instrument of the Korean nation, and its playing techniques were greatly improved and developed. At present the principal melody of Korean dance music and ethnic instrumental music in China is usually played mainly on the xiqin. The melodies it plays are delicate and roundabout, and it is especially good at playing classical pieces with slow, extended melodies or folk pieces with lively melodies, revealing the bright and impassioned yet restrained and deep cultural foundation of Korean culture. It is the principal bowed string instrument in Korean ethnic ensembles. Xiqin art is the crystallisation of the wisdom of the Korean people. Its instrument construction, timbre and performance techniques are distinctive in their own way, and without it the music, dance and other arts of the Korean people could not fully express the cultural connotation of the national art. It can be called an important vehicle and form of Korean traditional culture and art, and has high historical, cultural and artistic value.
02 · Core Techniques & Process
Historical records show that the xiqin has a history of more than 1,000 years. The xiqin consists of parts such as the resonator, the neck, the pegs, the qianjin, the bridge, the strings and the bow, and can be used for solo, ensemble or for accompanying song and dance. The xiqin has a soft, mellow tone and a bright, pleasing timbre, and its glissandi (nong yin) in particular almost reproduce the sound of the spoken voice. The xiqin is played in a seated position, with the resonator placed on the left thigh, the left hand holding the instrument and stopping the strings, and the right hand holding the bow. Strings are normally tuned in fifths, commonly a, e or c, g, with a range of a-a1 or c-c2, that is two octaves. The left hand stops the strings with a full grasp of the neck, commonly called "gou xian" (hooking the string) or "zhua xian" (gripping the string). Xiqin art has performance techniques such as vibrato, tapping and glissando (nong yin). Of these, vibrato is the most distinctive, and its width can reach four degrees.
Arirang
One of the well-known musical works using the xiqin as its principal melody.
Doraji
One of the well-known musical works using the xiqin as its principal melody.
Harvest Song
One of the well-known musical works using the xiqin as its principal melody; there are now some 20 or more well-known xiqin solos and concert pieces, including "Arirang", "Doraji" and "Harvest Song".
Vibrato, tapping and glissando
Xiqin art has performance techniques such as vibrato, tapping and glissando (nong yin), of which vibrato is the most distinctive and can reach a width of four degrees; glissando (nong yin) almost reproduces the sound of the spoken voice.
Fifth tuning
Strings are normally tuned in fifths, commonly a, e or c, g, with a range of a-a1 or c-c2, that is two octaves.
Grasping left-hand technique
The instrument is played in a seated position, with the resonator placed on the left thigh, the left hand holding the instrument and stopping the strings, and the right hand holding the bow; the left hand stops the strings with a full grasp of the neck, commonly called "gou xian" or "zhua xian".
03 · Regional Records & Related Items
Korean ethnic xiqin art is transmitted mainly in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, Jilin Province, and is also inherited in Korean residential areas in Heilongjiang, Liaoning and other provinces. Today the principal bearers of xiqin art in the Yanbian area are performers in professional troupes and teachers and students in relevant university departments. Programmes bringing xiqin into schools and communities have been carried out in Yanji, Tonghua and Meihekou, as well as in Tieling, Liaoning and Shangzhi, Heilongjiang, training more than 200 professional successors in total.
04 · Cultural Value & Contemporary Safeguarding
The range of the xiqin is broad, and there are comparatively many musical works using it as the principal melody. Well-known examples now include more than 20 solos and concert pieces such as "Arirang", "Doraji" and "Harvest Song". Over more than a century, through the efforts of several generations of folk artists and musical performers, xiqin art has formed a clear line of transmission, and the documented inheritors number four generations. Today, the principal bearers of Korean ethnic xiqin art in the Yanbian area are performers in professional troupes and teachers and students in relevant university departments. Activities bringing xiqin music and art into schools and communities, launched by the representative inheritor, have been held successively in Yanji City, Tonghua City and Meihekou City, Tieling City of Liaoning Province and Shangzhi City of Heilongjiang Province, training more than 200 professional successors in xiqin art in total; the number of amateur enthusiasts is beyond count, and public awareness of the need to protect Korean ethnic xiqin art has also been raised.
06 · Authoritative Sources & Bibliography
Sources
China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (ihchina.cn)
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