Shandong Liaocheng Eight-corner Drum Music Shape Research

The Liaocheng eight-corner drum is one of the representative narrative genres in Shandong Province. It is also the most popular sub-branch of the eight-corner drum. However, the performance is dying out, restricted by some social conditions. The Liaocheng eight-corner drum can be great help when studying the Qupai, Qupu, eight-corner drum melody and Song lyrics in the Ming and Qing dynasties, as well as research in the songs and performances along the Jinghang Canal. It is also of high academic value in musicology, history and art.This paper mainly reviews the evolvement and passing-on of the Liaocheng eight-corner drum. The review is based on previous studies, plenty of on-spot research as well as related history and geography knowledge. The author has interviewed two inheritors of Liaocheng eight-corner drum. The only-left traditional Qupai, Qumu, Song lyrics and melody have been collected, taped and written down. Musical model analytical method and comparative induction are employed in the paper.