Analysis Of The Application Of "Gong Jiao Axis" Theory In The Chinese Pentatonic Composition

The techniques of tonal conversion, tonal synthesis and tonal permeation in Chinese pentatonic composition are summarized with reference to related concepts of western harmonic system. In western music, tone changes are realized through mutual sound, modulation sequence and opposition, and tonal expansion through tonal synthesis and tonal permeation. This paper, however, tries to account for tonal conversion, tonal synthesis and tonal permeation from another angle, namely, "Gong Jiao axis"theory, based on the Chinese pentatonic music works.Through plenty of examples, the paper analyzes "Gong Jiao axis" in the following four chapters:In the first chapter, tonal conversion is discussed with Gong or Jiao forming a single axis; Chapter Two concerns continuous tonal conversion with different Gong or Jiao forming a moving axis; The third chapter approaches altered chords sequence from the theory of "Gong Jiao axis"; The final chapter, in view of the works combining the composing methods of Paul Hindermith and Serial Composition with the style in Chinese pentatonic, points out the universality,diversity and importance of "Gong Jiao axis" in the Chinese pentatonic composition.