Guqin Music
Chinese music is an essential part of Chinese culture. In our centre, we offer Guqin class to all those who are keen in exploring the unique beauty of Chinese music with no prior musical experience required.
Guqin, also known as the “seven-stringed zither”, is a musical instrument typically made of hardwood such as rosewood or red sandalwood. It dates back to more than 3000 years and has always been considered a symbol of moral pursuits of Chinese elite scholars.
The structure of Guqin conforms to heaven and earth. At the beginning, a Guqin has only five strings, which combine the inside five elements – gold, wood, water, fire and earth, and the outside five tones – Gong, Shang, Jue, Zhi and Yu, symbolizing the five social classes. Later, two strings were added to symbolize the harmony between the king and the minister. GuQin features various shapes, such as Confucius-style, Fuxi-style, Shennong style, connected curve-style and sunset cloud-style.
Guqin has a delicate and soft sound and is traditionally played solo in a quiet and contemplative setting. Guqin is often referred to as the “father of Chinese music” due to its ancient roots and its roles in Chinese culture as an instrument of self-expression and spiritual cultivation. Guqin embodies the moral virtues of Chinese ancients, and therefore, plays a significant role for understanding and studying traditional Chinese culture.
One of the key characteristics of Guqin music is its ability to evoke a sense of tranquillity and serenity. The soft, mellow sounds produced by the instrument have been described as being soothing and meditative. Guqin can help promote physical and mental health in patients with insomnia. Amid the plain, leisurely, calming and distant sound from the musical instrument, a Guqin player enters a state of full concentration from restlessness to serenity, and further forgets all surroundings and himself. In addition to its calming properties, Guqin is also known for its ability to convey a wide range of emotions, including sadness, joy, and longing, making it a powerful tool for musical expression.
