Chinese Folk Music-Er Ren Zhuan
Zouchang means"singing while walking."Here"walking"means dancing as the music story progresses.ou features singing while dancing:both its music and movement are impressive,such as northeast Er Ren Zhuan,northwest Er Ren Tai,and Yunan Huagu Deng.
Er Ren Zhuan (two-person show)is popular in Liaoning,Jilin,Heilongjiang and the east part of Inner Mongolia.A man and a woman act as a clown and heroine respectively;although they are wearing make-up,they still tell stories and simulate roles using the identity of singers.When singing,one plays with a fan,the other with a handkerchief,playing while dancing and singing.According to records,Er Ren Zhuan originated from the "Zhuang Jia Shua"(crop play)where farmers sang and danced in the flat fields.The name "Er Ren Zhuan"was first documented in 1934.Based from the northeast grand Yangge,it absorbed the musical elements of Lianhualuo of Hebei,and added dance,posture,walking around the venue,and so on,thus evolving to its present status.
In the history Er Ren Zhuan has developed in all four corners of the country,featuring a total of four genres:the east genre is centered around Jilin city,which has dancing with colorful rods,including the elements of martial arts;the west genre is centered around Heishan county,Liaoning province,significantly influenced by Hebei Lianhualuo,emphasizing Bantou;the south genre is centered around Yingkou city,Liaoning,following the style of the grand Yangge,emphasizing both singing and dancing;and the north genre is centered around Beidahuang Heilongjiang province,infuenced by the local folk songs,and its tunes are beautiful.
The tunes of Er Ren Zhuan are called "nine tunes,18 tones,and 72 heyheys,"altogether there are more than 300 tunes.The suona and banhu are the main instruments of Er Ren Zhuan.In terms of rhythm instruments,the (bamboo boards,two big boards and five rhythm boards) and vuziban are used,also called "Shouyuzi"(four bamboo boards,each hand playing with two boards).The performance of Er Ren Zhuan has "four skills and one stunt."The "Four skills"are "singing,narrating,playing,dancing,"and "one stunt"means the"stunts"of a handkerchief,fan,daban,yuziban,and so on.Because of its smooth and lively music,witty and humorous story content,and wonderful performance arts,Er Ren Zhuan is rooted in the hearts of the northeastern Chinese people,who even say "I would rather give up a meal,but not a performance of Er Ren Zhuan"Today,Er Ren Zhuan is still widely popular in the vast countryside and towns in northeast China,continuing with vitality.
Quyi music has a long history with ancient origins,and plain style.It isan important part of traditional Chinese culture.As the treasure of the Chinese people,it is impossible to be buried by time.It will be inherited along the development of its epoch.
