Taiwan traditional music is brought down by the descendants of Taiwan from Mainland China. Wind and percussion ensembles have play an important role in Taiwan culture. They are usually present during temple festivals, weddings and even funerals. The ensembles give ritual occasions a sense of solemnity and importance (Davison, Reed, 1998).
Drum pavilion (or guting) is the loud musical ensemble. The drum pavilion will include a large gong, a double-headed drum, a pair of cymbals and one or more suona. The pavilion is seven-foot high and is carried on a cart or in the back of a truck. It is a tradition during temple festivals, the drum pavilion to lead the procession that mark the temple deity’s inspection of the area under his or her protection (Davison, Reed, 1998). During funerals, the sons are expected to hire the pavilion will accompany the deceased to the burial place.
Another ensemble is the bayin ensemble. It is equally important during Taiwanese rituals. During funeral, the daughter is expected to hire this ensemble to follow the drum pavilion in the procession. The ensemble compromised of at least the small-sized double-reeded pipe, small tongzhong gong and also double-stringed lute, cymbals and clappers.
The last folk ensemble will be the beiguan music, played by amateur musician. These amateur groups are often organized at the local temple to perform for the temple festival honouring the god’s or goddess’ birthday. At funerals, beiguan ensemble will represent the friends and associates of the deceased. This ensemble has at least 2 double-reeded pipes, a woodblock, a big gong, a small gong, a single-headed drum, a double-headed drum and a pair of large and small cymbals.
Chinese percussive woodblocks
Chinese clash cymbals
The suona
Other than ensembles, there is also other form of music in Taiwan. Liam kua is a storytelling musical performance half spoken and half sung with simple instrumental accompaniment. It is an individual performance, where the performer will plays an instrument and narrate the story which in-corporate with singing.
Since the 21st century, ethnic groups in Taiwan have slowly developed cultural self-awareness. Together with the rise of Mandarin Pop, more and more Hakka and indigenous songwriters are producing songs sung in their mother tongues or mandarin. Musical styles in Taiwan show a mixture of their local ethnic elements as well as musical elements from other countries, such as jazz. Taiwanese pop music thus starts to gain its popularity around Asia in the 2000’s, with many Taiwanese composers and performers, such as A-mei and Jay Chou.
This is a song from Taiwanese singer Amei Zhang Hui Mei - Ting Hai (听海):
References:
- GIO, Republic of China(Taiwan), Music in Taiwan Retrieved on 4 December, 2010 from http://www.gio.gov.tw/taiwan-website/5-gp/culture/music/index.html
- Davison, G.M., Reed. B.E. (1998) Culture and Custom of Taiwan, pp 82-86
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