Fusion and Innovation of Chinese popular songs from Peking opera

Abstract

The dissertation aims to study fusion and innovation of Chinese popular songs from Peking opera. This study has three main purposes: 1) To investigate the developments history of Chinese popular songs from Peking opera. 2) To analyze the musical characteristics of Chinese popular songs from Peking opera. 3) To propose guidelines for the preservation of Chinese popular songs from Peking opera.The key informant consists of academics, singers and academic leaders. This study adopts a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods, including relevant literature research, investigation, observation, questionnaire survey and interview. There are research results in this study show that:

Firstly, the author divides Chinese popular songs from Peking opera into the following four stages according to the literature and development timelines. The study found that in1987, Chinese popular songs was first adopted intoPeking opera an followed by the second period from 1987 to 1991, then third period was from1992 to 2014 and the last period encompasses the year of 2015 up until now.

Secondly, the author divides Chinese popular songs from Peking opera into five main fusion methods through research. Also, the reseacher selects three representative songs recommended by the key informant for analysis from the aspects of formal structure, melody, chord, lyrics, articulation, rhythm, Chinese word tone system, singing skills and arrangement. These three songs are “You Shan Lian”, “ Da Zhai Men”, “ Wu Jia Po 2021” respectively.

Through interviews with designated scholars, academic representatives and practitioners of pop music with the total of almost 150 times of using questionnaires, this paper can analyze the fusion value of Chinese pop music and Peking Opera from three perspectives, as well as the fusion dilemma and solutions to provide guidance for its development.

Finally, I set up a 15-question questionnaire according to the respondents' suggestions and invited 150 people of different demographics to fill out the questionnaire online. Based on the results of the questionnaire survey and analysis, the author analyzes the fusion value of Chinese popular songs from Peking opera from three perspectives, suggests constructive solutions to the fusion dilemma, and provides guidance and suggestions for the development of Chinese popular songs from Peking opera.

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