Introduction to Taoist Music in Taiwan

Taoist Music Taoist Music Classification and Forms Vocal Music Instrumental Music Instruments Taoist Music Genres Zheng Yi Dao Music Quan Zhen Dao Music Taoist Music Scores Yu Yin Dharma Ceremony

Da Ming Imperial Music

Quan Zhen Rhyme Taoist Music in Various Places Beijing Baiyun Guan Suzhou Longhu Mountain

Wudang Mountain Mao Shan Shanghai Laoshan

Sanqin Sichuan Northeastern China Taiwan Hong Kong

Taiwan Taoism There are two schools of Taoism in Taiwan, one in the south and the other in the north (which can also be subdivided into the center, the south and the north). Although the two sects belong to the same Tianshidao school, none of their rituals are the same. Koyi music is a very different style: the central and southern Taoist music has a feminine beauty, singing method focus on staccato, that is, between the tone and tone in the singing voice, often using the special vibration of the larynx to produce a distinctive flavor; the northern part of the Taoist music is more robust beauty, but the law of the singing method of the round cavity, singing the same way with the general folk songs.

The origins and characteristics of Taoist music in the central and southern regions

The origins of Taoist music in the central and southern regions can be summarized into four major systems: "inherent Taoist music", "southern pipe music", "northern pipe music", and "other folk music". The "inherent music of Taoism" refers to the scriptural rhythms that have their own characteristics and are seldom associated with other forms of folk music. "Nanpipe music" is the ancient music of the Central Plains preserved in Quanzhou, Fujian Province. Nanpipe tunes are absorbed in the rituals of the Southern Jiao-festival and merit-making ceremonies, and are often called "Nanqu" by Taoist priests. "Beipipong music" is the folk music of the indigenous people of Zhangzhou in Taiwan. The Beipong music absorbed in Taoist music mainly comes from the gongs and drums of the Beipong, commonly known as "pai zi" (牌子). "Other folk music" refers to the occasional music played by Taoist priests, such as the music of the car drums (known as the "military drum score" by folk artists), and other folk music, such as Taiwan's "Cantonese music" (introduced to Taiwan before 1949).

Taoist music in the north is divided into three categories: "Taoist inherent music," "northern pipe music," and "other folk music. The "inherent Taoist music" refers to the Taoist music that characterizes the northern part of the country. "Beipiphone music" is generally the same as the Beiphone music of the central and southern parts of the country, except that it is more widely used. The difference between "other folk music" used in Taoist ceremonies in the north and those in the central and southern parts of the country is that the folk music absorbed by Taoist music in the north consists mostly of ordinary folk instrumental music (such as "Partridge Fly"), the music of Taiwanese folk music (such as the "Che Guan Lang"), and the tunes of "Miscellaneous Nian Zai" (a Taiwanese folk ballad of a highly narrative nature), which are more commonly used. Taoist music, whether from central, southern or northern Taiwan, is largely consistent in the way it is sung.