Read History with Jack 31 - We Enjoy Music

Music is everywhere; everything can be a form of music. Our ancestors already had long discovered the secret of music and learned how to enjoy it.

bIn China, our ancestors had known to play music for 8000 years. At Pei Li Gang culture from about 6100 to 5000 B.C.E, we discovered flutes made at that time from aquatic birds’ bones. These flutes are the earliest examples of Chinese instruments. Some experiments show that these flutes can actually produce different sounds. Also, on the side of these flutes, there are holes made to tune-up. From this, we can see that the ancient Chinese before the Xia Dynasty were very smart and began to seek for the wonderfulness music can bring. This is 8000 years ago!

Then, at He Mu Du culture from about 5200 to 4200 B.C.E, archaeologists found a pottery Xun. This musical instrument is still being played today as a form of traditional Chinese music. I listened to some pieces of music produced by it and it can produce really melodious sound and made me even feel a little bit melancholy. The He Mu Du people lived near the water and might even be the ancestors of Austronesians. I can imagine people playing this Xun as they watch boats passing by, carrying their family members and friends. They must have been sad, and the music must have been sorrowful too as it flows further and further away. 

As time progressed, we entered into the Dynasties. In the Zhou Dynasty, archaeologists excavated a set of bronze Zhong, a kind of percussion instrument. There are 13 Zhongs as you can see, and are arrayed from large to small. This set has really accurate and exquisite sounds. The Zhou Dynasty maintained its power through a set of etiquette. Ruling elites could show their power partially through the number and kind of Zhongs they had. The higher your rank is, the more Zhongs you can own. Apparently, this set of Zhong was previously owned by a very powerful man. 

Then, in the Han Dynasty, we discovered a drumming and rapping pottery figure. This vivid pottery figure appears to hold a drum in his left hand and arm, and a drumbeat in his right hand, seeming just about to beat the drum. The figure is smiling funnily, and his moves are a little bit exaggerated. This sculpture can show the music of mundane societies back then, and can also express local culture. I really like this pottery figure because he takes me back nearly 2000 years ago, as I watch him performing while the crowd is cheering. This sculpture is very dynamic and vivid.

 Another interesting cultural relic is a yellow-glazed porcelain flask with music and dance scene. This flask is from the Northern Qi Dynasty from 550-577 C.E. On it is carved a very lively scene. There are five artists portrayed. The middle one is stepping on a lotus and is performing the Huteng dance. This kind of dance is from Central Asia. This dance is famous in the later Tang Dynasty because of its characteristics of spinning and jumping. The two artists on the left are playing a flute and clapping, while the two artists on the right are playing a five-string Pipa and a Chinese percussion. This cultural relic can show us that different civilizations were communicating with each other. It can also show us a part of the life of people living at that time. 

A Tang Dynasty Tri-colored Glazed Ceramics showing four musicians who are playing on a camel

Last but not least, in the period of Emperor Xuan Zong of the Tang Dynasty, there was made a set of pottery figures playing music. Emperor Xuan Zong himself loved music and was a proficient musician and composer at that time. That time also was the most flourishing and prosperous period of the Tang Dynasty, so people could have a mind for music and entertainments. Each pottery figure is playing a musical instrument different from the others. Therefore, it is rather like a band of musicians. It would be a fabulous experience to listen to the euphonious music played by them and to immerse myself into Tang culture. 

I myself love music very much. Each night before I sleep I will listen to a piece of classical music to enjoy the beautiful melody and harmony no matter what genre it is. In addition, I play the piano and each time I play a musical piece I can actually feel the emotion that the piece tries to convey. That is the power of music, music is everywhere!