Suona Art

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: suona Art

Applicant: Wanzai County, Jiangxi Province

Item No.: 68

Project No.: Ⅱ - 37

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: Traditional Music

Region: Jiangxi Province

Type: Extension Project

Applicant: Wanzai County, Jiangxi Province

Protection unit: Wanzai County Cultural Center

Suona Art (Wanzai Desheng drum)

Applicant: Wanzai County, Jiangxi Province

Suona is a transliteration of "surna" in Arabic. It was widely spread in many countries in Asia, Africa and Europe, and was introduced to China not later than the Jin and Yuan Dynasties. In Chinese folk, it also has copper flute, tin flute, pear flower, sea flute and other names. In addition, the small suona used in Fujian Nanqu performance is called "Aizai" or "Nanai"; the suona used in Puxian opera accompaniment is called "Meihua" or "chubian", and the larger one is called "Dalong" or "Dahai Flute"; the all wood suona of Uygur nationality is called "surnai"; the suona of Tibetan, Miao, Mongolian, Korean and other nationalities also have different shapes.

Suona is composed of whistle, core, air disc, rod, copper bowl and other parts. It is arranged in order according to the seven sound levels according to the sound holes. The distance between each hole is basically equal. It can flip the seven tones, and the range is generally two octaves plus two degrees. Suona has many kinds of playing skills, such as glide, vomit, air arch, air top, purr, circulation (continuous blowing for a long time) and so on. It is a kind of solo instrument with strong expressive force.

Suona is one of the indispensable musical instruments in the percussion band. In ancient times, besides playing military music, it was also used for the accompaniment of Yamen drum blowing, opera, song and dance, etc. in folk daily life, it was mostly used for festivals, weddings and funerals, and drama scenes.

Wanzai Desheng drum is one of the popular folk instrumental music forms in Wanzai County, Jiangxi Province. It is mainly distributed in Tanbu Town, Zhutan Town, Huangmao Town, Lingdong Township and Gaocheng township of the county, and it also spreads to some towns in neighboring counties and even neighboring provinces. Desheng drum was formed in the Northern Song Dynasty, mainly based on the historical events of the Tang Dynasty to pacify the Anshi rebellion. The whole drum music is divided into nine parts: asking for a battle, four generals, two generals, the emperor's coming to the stage, visiting soldiers, going to war, entering the city, stepping on the stage and abdicating, big and small round platforms, to show the process of the Tang Dynasty's victory.

Wanzai Desheng drum is the representative of the organic combination of folk suona Qupai and gongs and drums. It has great changes in rhythm, rhythm, melody, mode, timbre, strength and speed. The simultaneous combination of Suona and gongs and drums makes the small play lively and fluent, while the big play majestic, solemn and warm. Special sonorous and forceful tiktok skills are unique in suona, imitation of horse riding is very realistic; the beating of drum and drum is powerful and powerful, and the scene is spectacular when playing.

Desheng drum is one of the most important folk activities in Wanzai. Local people play Desheng drum when they get married, celebrate their birthday, the completion of the mansion, the opening ceremony, and celebrate the festival. Through the inheritance and development of generations of artists, the performance skills of Wanzai Desheng drum have been continuously improved and the artistry has been continuously improved, which has played an important role in promoting the formation and development of Wanzai folk instrumental music and Wanzai Huadeng music.

Wanzai Desheng drum is a precious folk cultural heritage, which has important artistic and folkloric research value. In Wanzai, there are more than 50 Desheng drum bands. Due to the changes of the times, the performance team is gradually declining, and there is a trend that the performers are out of touch, and the traditional suona tunes and gongs and drums are gradually lost. Today, the only band that can play the winning drum completely is the Tanbu village band in Tanbu Town, so the protection work is urgent.