Music of Qinghai

The music of Qinghai, a province of China inhabited by Tibetans, Mongolians and others, includes hua'er, a type of song prevalent throughout northwest China. This informal music is often competitive in nature, with singers interacting and improvising topical and love lyrics, usually unaccompanied. Qinghai's folk music is known for its intervallic leaps in melody.

The Salar people of Xunhua Salar Autonomous County are known for distinct music, especially the song "Flowers", which is a combination of Tibetan, Han and Muslim banquet music. They are also known for a string instrument called the kouxuan, which is oftne played by women and is made from silver or copper.

Qinghai has also produced the well-known composer Bright Sheng, who worked in Qinghai's Folk Dance and Music Theatre while he collected the area's folk songs. He has used elements of local folk music in his compositions.

References

Notes

1. Two Essays by Bright Sheng
2. Tibet.Ethno.Info
3. Tibet.Ethno.Info
4. Living Composers Project

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