Brief introduction of Tibetan music

Tibet is a place with a long history and cultural tradition, and its regional characteristics and national traditions determine the particularity of local folk music. Because Tibet has long been hidden in the distant plateau, Tibetan music culture is little influenced by the outside world, and there is not much spread outside the region, so we must pay attention to two characteristics when talking about Tibetan folk music:

First, its simplicity, Tibetan music belongs to pure folk music, unlike the music of other nationalities, which is more or less commercial. Tibetan music is similar to the primitive times when human beings produced music, that is, music was only used for sacrifice, labor and courtship; Another feature is the influence of Tibetan Buddhism. Before liberation, Tibet belonged to a serfdom society with the integration of politics and religion. In the local religion, it is the only cultural life of people, and the influence of religion is deeply buried in all folk music. So most songs contain religious flavor.

In the eyes of outsiders who don't know much about Tibetan music, the representative of Tibetan music is the high-pitched singing performed by some mainland singers with modern techniques, just like the extremely wide range ups and downs of the Himalayas. This is actually a major feature of Tibetan folk songs discovered by modern musicians. The unique singing style of Tibetan songs stems from its traditional "Gu Zhen" singing method. The famous Tibetan song Hui (Xigaze Song) adopted the singing method of "Gu Zhen". In Tibetan, the singing method of "Gu Zhen" means "turning the voice", that is, singing regularly and skillfully at the "turning the voice", which is a unique singing skill of Tibetan people since ancient times.

Because of the same origin, Tibetan music is closely related to Indian and Nepalese music, and the famous group "Shire" is influenced by Nepalese folk songs. What we usually see is that the trombone sounded by the lamas before the sacrifice can be said to be one of their musical instruments, but it can also be said to be a temple instrument, and the bell is one of them. The French horn is a bass instrument with only three tones, which is very primitive, rough and vigorous, and the sound effect is sacred and majestic. Bell is a high-pitched wind instrument, with soft and pleasant tone, which is obviously different from suona because of different playing methods. When the French horn is played with a bell, it embodies the unique horizontal contrast characteristics of Tibetan melody, and there is no vertical interval relationship. The main type is court music and dance, which is performed in the court of religious leaders, with special emphasis on serious and deep feelings. The main tracks are "Snow Mountain Temple" (Qamdo) and "Kashmir" (Shigatse, the melody originated from Kashmir. Reflect the religious exchanges between Tibet and Kashmir), Peacock Song (Lhasa, praising and yearning for a better life like proud as a peacock), etc.

Types of Tibetan folk songs

1. Labor songs: These songs are mainly spread in pastoral areas, and people sing in the workplace.

This is the way of milking in Larry area.

2. Arrow Song of the Ministry of Industry: It is the heroic battle song of the hunter, with rich forest style and smooth and complete melody.

Example: Jinshan in Beijing is said to be influenced by the arrow song "The Day of Constellation" (an ancient folk song in Linzhi area).

3. Dui Harmony: The more mature singing method is Tibetan and Western Song and Dance. In addition to fiddling, there are dulcimer, Qu Di, Huqin, Teqin and String Bell, which form a fixed orchestration mode and unique playing techniques.

Examples: Lhasa River (Lhasa in Shigatse), how wide the sky is (one day is set in Shigatse), etc.

4. Langma: Tibetan band performance. The multi-person Panditha Tenzin Party was founded in 1795 and was introduced from the mainland. Generally, six people sing and play a song called Langma, which is an internal tune (song and dance).

Example: Song of Snow Mountain (Lhasa, Lost).

5. Hundred: Warfare songs produced as early as the Songtsan Gambo period became a custom. Bai's singing is unique, and his voice must be hoarse to show the pride of the soldiers. According to Japanese Music History and japanese pop, ancient Tibetan music once spread to Japan, and some folk songs are very similar to Bai.

6. Wedding song: The wedding is very harmonious. When you enter the house, you should sing praises to the door, and when you go upstairs, you should sing praises to the ladder, toast, hada, bridal chamber, parents, bride and groom, building, wine set, stove, sacrifice and exorcism. The melody is humorous, cheerful and festive.

7. Mourning songs: The religious "Guru Sect" originated in Tibet is religious music formed by absorbing folk music. Usually, monks sing with drums, bells, leg horns and other instruments.

For example: long tune (Changdu) and so on.