The Biography and Singing Techniques of Axi Axi in Chinese Wedding Folk Songs

Abstract

This research delves into the Biography and Singing Techniques of Axi Axi in Chinese Wedding Folk Songs. Combining fieldwork, interviews, and literature analysis has two objectives: 1) the study of the biography and 2) the analysis of the singing techniques of wedding folk songs. The results of this research are as follows:

1. Axi Axi's biography details her personal and artistic journey. Drawing on fieldwork, interviews, and archival materials, the research reconstructs her life story, from her early immersion in Yi traditions to her achievements as a cultural ambassador and preserver of intangible heritage. This investigation highlights her dual role as a devoted mother and a torchbearer of Yi's cultural identity.

2. The singing techniques employed by Axi Axi in performing Yi wedding folk songs. Her vocal artistry combines traditional Yi vocal styles with her unique interpretations. The study examines her mastery of techniques such as natural chest breathing, oral and mixed resonance, the transition between true and false voices, clear articulation, and ornamentation. These techniques are explored in the context of two main themes in Yi wedding folk songs: the crying wedding tunes, which express profound emotions of parting and anticipation, and the narrative tones, which recount the legends, history, and cultural wisdom of the Yi people.

The research provides valuable insights into Axi Axi's role as a cultural inheritor and the significance of her vocal techniques in preserving and transmitting Yi wedding folk songs. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on ethnomusicology and highlight the importance of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in contemporary contexts.

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