Chinese Orchestra and Instruments:

The following is a brief description of the modern day Chinese Orchestra and some of the most common Chinese instruments.

General Orchestral Layout:

 

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The layout of today’s Chinese orchestra is very similar to that of the symphony orchestra. The number of players in an orchestra can vary from a minimum of 20 to as many as 100.The orchestra is divided into 4 sections, classified by the type of instruments, namely the woodwind, string, plucked string and percussion. A few western instruments have also been incorporated into the orchestra, like the cello and the double bass that provided the lower notes which are necessary for a better instrumental blend.

Basically, Chinese musical instruments are catergorised by the method of their sound production. Thus, woodwind instruments are blown, plucking instruments are plucked, stringed instruments are bowed and percussion instruments are struck. However, it should be noted that different orchestras may position each section differently.

To learn about individual instruments, you can click on the images below:

Wind：

Dizi/Chinese Bamboo Flute (笛子）
梆笛和曲笛 (Bangdi and Qudi）
簫 (Xiao)
唢呐 (Suona)
笙 (Sheng)
中音笙 (Zhongyin/Alto Sheng)

Plucked Strings：

揚琴 (Yangqin)
柳琴 (Liuqin)
琵琶 (Pipa)
阮 (Ruan)
三弦 (Sanxian)
古箏 (Guzheng)

​Bowed Strings：

二胡 (Erhu)
高胡 (Gaohu)
中胡 (Zhonghu)
板胡 (Banhu)
革胡 (Gehu)

Percussion：

Metal:

  • 大鑼 (Daluo/Gong)
  • 小鑼 (Xiaoluo)
  • 雲鑼 (Yunluo i.e. a cloud of gongs)
  • 鈸 (Cymbals)
  • 碰鈴 (Bells）
  • 編鐘 (Bell Chimes)

Wood:

  • 梆子 (Bangzi)
  • 拍板 (Clappers)
  • 木魚 (Wooden Fish)

Skin:

  • 大鼓 (Bass Drum/Big Drum)
    • 聲音低沉濃厚，擁有極強的表現力和特色。Low, thick and solid sounds.
    • 鼓身由木制成，鼓面覆有牛皮。Made of wood, has stretched cowhide on its top and bottom.
  • 小鼓 (Small Drum)
    • 又稱「小堂鼓」為大鼓的稍小版。Smaller version of the Chinese bass drum.
    • 音色堅實且富有彈性，音調較大鼓高。Can create lively and enthusiastic.
    • 擅長表現熱烈緊張的氣氛。More expressive at depicting excitment using fast rhythms
  • 排鼓 (Chinese Drumset)
    • 由一套五至七個大小音高不同的音套鼓所組成。Usually contains a set of 5 to 7 drums which vary in sizes and pitches.
    • 其音高可藉由調整鼓面的鬆緊度來設定。The pitch of each drum is adjustable by tighten or loosen the skin.
    • 音高對比鮮明，節奏多變, 適合演奏激情歡騰的樂曲。With contrasting pitches and variable rhythms, it is particularly appropriate in celebratory music.

Apart from those mentioned above, the Timpani, Xylophone, Vibraphone, Celesta and Tambourine are also widely used in modern day Chinese orchestras.

1st row, left to right: big drum, small drum, drum set
2nd row top right: xiaoluo, two types of daluo/gong, yunluo

1st row: big and small cymbals
2nd row: wooden fish, clappers, bangzi
3rd row: bell chimes

For a more detailed read on traditional Chinese Instruments, and their roles in modern day Chinese Orchestra, you can click here to this interactive page created by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hongkong.

More Performance Videos

冬獵 Winter Hunt – Chao Feng Chinese Orchestra

賀新年 Happy New Year – Chao Feng Chinese Orchestra

Chao Feng Chinese Orchestra Virtual Performance of Waltzing Matilda

Video commemorating 38 years of Chao Feng Chinese Orchestra

Recordings from distant past

Australian National Anthem performed by Chaofeng Chinese Orchestra

闖將令 The Trailblazers

翻身的日子 Happy Day

春江花月夜 Moonlit River In Spring