A Study of Xiao qu, a Vocal form in Qin'an County, Gansu Province, China

Abstract

The objectives of this dissertation were to:1) Investigate the contemporary status of Qin'an Xiaoqu. 2) analyze the musical characteristics of Qin'an Xiaoqu. 3) guideline the transmission and preservation of Qin'an Xiaoqu. The qualitative research method is used. Many data are collected on the spot through interviews with key information providers in this field, and the collected data are classified and statistically analyzed. The results of a study show that:

1. The current situation in Qin'an Xiaoqu the researcher conducted research and analysis on six different topics. The development of Qin'an Xiaoqu is clear based on his recent achievements. The situation for artists does not appear to be promising. When the old artist retires, no one will be able to continue the transmission. If active preservation measures are not taken, Xiaoqu will perish. When the researcher entered the campus, community, military camp, and nursing home from Xiaoqu, he saw hope again. There has been progress, but there are still many issues to address.

2. According to data records and researchers' research, Qin'an Xiaoqu started in the Tang dynasty and continued through the Ming and Qing dynasties. The music has distinct characteristics that are influenced by its geographical location. It is classified into eleven types based on its pitching modes. The modes are rich and varied, and the tonic pitch is not strict. In many performances, a single person sings in two beats at medium speed. The lyrics are typically a mix of elegant and well-known sentence patterns. Melody has a high degree of freedom and randomness. The singer beats the rhythm with a "Shuaizi" and sings in Qin'an dialect with distinctive accompaniment.

3. The transmission and preservation of Qin'an Xiaoqu must raise people's awareness, make them aware of the problems that already exist, and develop reasonable strategies and steps for transmission and preservation based on the problems that already exist: documentation, preservation, transmission, dissemination, and protection.

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