Taoist music (Baiyunshan Taoist Music)

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: Taoist music (Baiyun Mountain Taoist Music)

Applicant: Jiaxian County, Shaanxi Province

Item No.: 638

Project No.: Ⅱ - 139

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: Traditional Music

Region: Shaanxi Province

Type: new item

Applicant: Jiaxian County, Shaanxi Province

Protection unit: Jiaxian Cultural Center

Introduction to Taoist music (Baiyunshan Taoist Music)

Applicant: Jiaxian County, Shaanxi Province

Taoist music, also known as "Daochang music", is the music used in Taoist religious activities. Like Taoism, it originated from the sacrificial songs and dances of ancient witches. Taoist music consists of two parts: instrumental music and vocal music. Instrumental music is mainly composed of bell, chime, drum, wooden fish, cloud Gong and other instruments, with wind, plucking, string pulling and other instruments. Vocal music is mainly composed of chanting, which is composed of Gaogong master's recitation of vows, praise of God, chanting of the table, the confession of all preachers and the chorus of all Taoists.

Baiyun Mountain is the largest Taoist temple in Northwest China, located in the mountains of Jia County, Yulin City, Shaanxi Province. In 1608, the 36th year of Wanli in Ming Dynasty, Wang zhenshou, Zhang Zhenyi and other Taoists of baiyun temple in Beijing came to Baiyun Mountain with Shaanxi Chief Secretary's post, and introduced the Taoist music of baiyun temple in Beijing to Shaanxi Province. The Taoist music of Baiyun Mountain has a simple, elegant and solemn style, which is known as "Baiyun charm, holy land and fairy music".

Baiyunshan Taoist music consists of three parts: Jingyun tune, Shengguan tune and percussion tune. Jingyun tune can be divided into three types according to music form: satirical tune, chanting tune and Yunqiang tune. Shengguan tune is an extremely important part of Baiyunshan Taoist music, which is used in almost all Taoist activities and ceremonies. It can be used as accompaniment for Jingyun tune singing or playing Shengguan tune alone There are two kinds of cymbals, which are cymbals with big and small cymbals as main percussion instruments and cymbals with small cymbals and Dangdang cymbals as main percussion instruments. They can be used not only in the conversion and connection of various scientific and instrumental activities, but also as the introduction, interlude and epilogue in the singing and performance of Jingyun melody and Sheng wind music. There are 142 Taoist music tunes in Baiyun Mountain, including 65 Jingyun tunes, 52 Shengguan tunes and 25 percussion instruments. His representative music includes the story of swordsmen, praise of the middle hall, praise of the saints of the three religions, etc.

In the process of inheritance, Baiyunshan Taoist music absorbed the local Buddhist music, Jin opera, suona, Northern Shaanxi folk songs and other music tunes, which made the performance style and skills with fresh local characteristics. It has become a rare remains of Taoist music and folk music, and has research value in the history of Taoist music and ethnic culture. At present, with the development and evolution of the times, the folk sacrifice activities have gradually ceased. After the death of the older generation of Taoists in Baiyunshan, it is difficult for Guanzhong to form a band with a considerable lineup. In the long run, Baiyunshan Taoist music will face the crisis of decline. Therefore, we must formulate protection and support programs as soon as possible to ensure that this religious art can continue to survive and develop in the way it used to.