Traditional Chinese Musical Instruments
Embark on a Symphony of Tradition: Erhu, Guzheng, and Drum Classes – Where Timeless Melodies Meet Rhythmic Beats!
Erhu
The Soulful Strings: Discover the Elegance of the Erhu
- – A 2-stringed Bowed Instrument
THE INSTRUMENT
The Erhu, a traditional Chinese musical instrument, is widely regarded as the quintessential symbol of Chinese music. With a rich history spanning over a thousand years, it holds a significant place in China’s cultural heritage. In the Tang Dynasty, it was referred to as “Xi Qin” by the ancient Chinese.
This captivating instrument consists of three main parts. It features a long hardwood neck, adorned with two turning pegs at the top. Two strings extend from these pegs and connect to the base of the instrument. At the bottom, a small resonator body, traditionally covered with snake skin (though modern versions often use man-made materials), provides a distinctive tone. Additionally, a bow made of horsehair is tied to a bamboo stick, allowing for the production of melodious sounds.
The beauty of the Erhu lies in its unique ability to emulate the human voice, evoking profound emotional expressions. Initially, the Erhu was primarily used for performing folk music or accompanying operas. However, as time progressed, its versatility and enchanting qualities led to its integration as a solo instrument in bands and large ensembles.
Noteworthy Erhu compositions that have stood the test of time include “Reflection of the Moon,” “River Water,” “The Sanmen Gorge Capriccio,” “Empty Mountain Birds,” and “Horse Pentium.” These masterpieces highlight the instrument’s expressive power and captivate listeners with their melodic and soulful performances.
THE INSTRUCTOR
Zhantao Lin is an erhu (a two-string Chinese music instrument) player based in Massachusetts. Before moving to the United States, he was an erhu faculty member at the Guangxi Arts Institute and was on the Board of Chinese Professional Erhu player’s Guild in China.
Since arrived in Boston in 1999, he has performed at numerous institutions. He was invited to Yo Yo Ma’s Silk Road Concert Series, and has given lectures and concerts in Santiago of Spain organized by the Spanish Strings Association.
He used to teach Erhu at Lexington Chinese School, Chelmsford Chinese School, Dana Hall School’s music department; He was awarded the 20-year senior teacher of the 2023 Association of Chinese Schools。
He was the main actor as a musician in a short film “Descendants of String” in 2018, and recorded music for the film with erhu. This film won an award at the Los Angeles Asian Film Festival in October 2019.
Zhantao Lin was named Blodgett Visiting Artist by Harvard University Music Department in January 2019. He is currently the President of the Boston Chinese Musicians Association.
In addition to erhu, Zhantao Lin is also a master of Tai Chi. He is the sixth-generation disciple of Yang Style Tai Chi, and currently serves as the President of the Greater Boston Tai Chi Academy. He has taught hundreds of students in the Boston area, and his Tai Chi team participates in the Boston Dragon Boat Festival performance every year.
Guzheng
Guzheng Grace: Unleashing the Harmonic Beauty of Ancient Strings
– A 19-string Instrument
THE INSTRUMENT
Guzheng, also known as the Chinese zither, is a traditional plucked instrument that holds a significant place in Chinese music and culture. Its name translates to “ancient zither” in Mandarin, reflecting its long history and cultural heritage.
THE INSTRUCTOR
Yi Ding, Guzheng teacher, and a member of Boston Chinese Musicians Association.
She has Advanced Teacher Certification from Central Conservatory of Music. In the last three years, she has been rewarded as an Excellent Instructor of the Central Conservatory of Music Chinese Instrument Grade Examination.
She established Yi Zhiyin Guzheng Ensemble in 2021. Yi Zhiyin Guzheng Ensemble hopes to bring a variety of cultures and traditional music to the local community. The ensemble took part in many community activities and festival celebrations to make performances. They got first place in the instrument competition in HuaYue Cup International competition in 2022.
Chinese Drum
Percussive Powerhouse: Dive into the Heartbeat of Tradition with Chinese Drum Classes.
THE INSTRUMENT
The Chinese drum, also known as “gu” or “tanggu,” is a traditional percussion instrument with a cylindrical body and a tight animal skin drumhead. It plays a vital role in Chinese music, particularly in traditional opera, folk celebrations, and festivals. The drum’s rhythmic beats symbolize auspiciousness and energy, making it a key element in lion and dragon dance performances during events like Chinese New Year. While deeply rooted in tradition, Chinese drums have also found their way into modern music, contributing to a dynamic blend of cultural heritage and contemporary expression.
THE INSTRUCTOR
Dr. Chi-Sun Chan is a highly experienced Chinese drum instructor with over ten years of experience. He is dedicated to bringing the ancient art of Chinese drumming to life through his masterful teaching skills. Dr. Chan serves as the Music Director and Conductor of the GBCCA Chinese Music Ensemble and is also the founder of the Boston Synchrony Chinese Percussion Ensemble. He is committed to sharing his passion with others and nurturing talent at institutions like Lexington Chinese School, GBCCA Huaxin School of Arts, Tzu Chi Boston, and beyond. Dr. Chan welcomes anyone interested in exploring the rhythmic pulse of Chinese drumming to join him on this exciting journey.
The musical instruments were made possible by a grant from the Community Endowment of Lexington.
