A Comparative Study of Yi Folk Songs in Liangshan Prefecture and Chuxiong Prefecture, China

Abstract

The research objectives of this dissertation were to : 1) investigate the status of Yi folk songs in Liangshan Prefecture and Chuxiong Prefecture, China; 2) compare the musical characteristics of the Yi folk songs in Liangshan Prefecture and Chuxiong Prefecture, China; 3) present the way to the transmission of Yi folk songs into educational institutions in Liangshan Prefecture and Chuxiong Prefecture, China. The data collection and research adopted the field investigation method, including 3 groups of interviewees, consisting of 8 representative inheritors, 6 vocal performers, 4 leaders and 4 music teachers and 8 students of primary and secondary schools and local universities in the two places. The research tools are the observation form, the interview form, and the questionnaire.

The results of this dissertation are as follows: 1) The Yi folk songs in the two places have different contents in different historical periods, showing the life trajectory of the Yi compatriots. Yi folk songs served social functions such as entertainment, media, education, sacrifice, and so on in traditional society; 2) The comparison of musical characteristics between the two places, this dissertation analyzes and compares the music characteristics of the Yi folk songs in the two places using typical examples of music scores and summarizes the similarities and differences of the music characteristics of the Yi folk songs in the two places, including melody characteristics, music structure, mode characteristics, rhythm and beat, lyrics characteristics, and singing characteristics; 3) It shows the transmission channels of Yi folk songs in Liangshan Prefecture and Chuxiong Prefecture in educational institutions. This dissertation summarizes the ways of transmission of Yi folk songs in primary and secondary schools as well as local universities in the two places.

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