How to play Hakka gongs and drums

Hakka gongs and drums are played as follows:

1, rubbing. Both arms are lifted flat, the elbows do not leave the ribs, and the cymbals are held in front of the chest; the surface of the cymbals is rubbed by rotating the cymbals in a non-directional way, producing a "silk" sound, and then suddenly the two cymbals are separated, producing a "silk" sound aftertaste.

2. Strike. Both arms raised, elbows not away from the ribs, the left cymbal flat end, the right hand standing cymbal held in front of the chest; up and down to hit the cymbal surface, issued a crisp "dangdang" sound. The speed should not be too fast, and the strength should be even.

3. Shake. Both arms raised, elbows not away from the ribs, both hands standing cymbals in front of the chest; first inside and then outside the shaking wrist slap cymbal side, turn the wrist granularity balanced to produce the effect of a series of strikes. The left hand can also be immobile, the right hand shakes the wrist to slap the side of the cymbal.

4, side hit. The left hand holding the cymbal tilted at a 45-degree angle, the right hand holding the cymbal touched the cymbal side, a clear trailing sound, the rhythm should be stable, the movement should be light and flexible.

5, scraping. The left hand holding the cymbal tilted at a 45-degree angle, the right hand holding the cymbal from top to bottom scraping the cymbal surface, resulting in a vibration of the sound.

The gongs and drums are the pillars of dramatic rhythm. It is an essential instrument in Han folk culture. Opera singing, performance, dance, martial arts, all have a strong rhythm, and gongs and drums are a strong sound, rhythmic instruments.

With the accompaniment of gongs and drums, it can enhance the rhythm and accuracy of the movements in singing and performing, help to express the emotions of the characters, color the drama, and accentuate and render the atmosphere of the stage.

When playing gongs and drums, all kinds of instruments must be arranged in an organized way to cooperate with each other, and the command of the drum plate can produce a rhythmic and regular sound. Various types of theater in the instrument varieties, the tone of the choice of the door, the number of instruments and the combination of configuration, as well as played out a variety of rhythmic patterns (generally known as "points", some called "cards").

By and large, they are combined with the singing style of the opera to form the unique style of the opera. For example, the Peking Opera gongs and drums are basically a combination of four instruments: a large gong, a small gong, cymbals, and a drum plate. According to the special needs, and sometimes add the hall drum, cymbals, to express a specific scene, atmosphere and dramatic mood.