The Current Situation And Inheriting Of Xi'an Drum Music

Xi'an Drum music is a large-scale folk music which has circulated in Xi'an (ancient Chang'an) and its surrounding areas for thousands of years. In ancient Chang'an andits surrounding areas, especially in the monasteries and temples of the northern foothills of Qinling Mountain, the activities of temples and a number of civil Drum Music Clubs provided the basis for the survival of Xi'an drum music.Xi'an drum music originated in the Sui and Tang Dynasties and after Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, it remains intact in the preservation of the traditional repertoire, and Qupai, musical instruments, music scores and performance forms. In terms of the playing style, it possesses the elegant nature of court music as well as the vigorous nature of folk music and thus it is known as "China Ancient Music living fossil." Xi'an drum music is a cultural heritage of our national music and so far, it has been one of the large-scale folk music forms which are most intactly preserved in our country.However, in recent years, the living condition of Xi'an Drum music has not been optimistic because of the erosion of the modern strong culture and the impact of various disadvantageous factors. As a result of the erosion of the strong culture, the original human environment, such as a temple which is the basis for the survival of Xi'an Drum music, is gradually dying out. In addition, as the old artists died, the Xi'an drum music lacks qualified successors. Xi'an Drum music is now endangered and demands prompt rescue and protection. The present author thinks that it is urgent to establish a series of effective systems to protect and pass down the Xi'an drum music with the expectation that the ancient music can be developed and be prosperous.Focusing on "The Current Situation and passing down of Xi'an Drum music," the thesis includes three major aspects:Firstly, the history of Xi'an Drum music is discussed. Then the artistic characteristics and performance characteristics of Xi'an drum music are explicated.Secondly, based on the field surveys, the current situation of Xi'an drum music is analyzed from three aspects: the existing Xi'an Drum clubs, music scores and musical instruments, from which the current problems of Xi'an drum music is derived.Thirdly, through a thorough analysis, the author proposes to establish a complete inheriting system of Xi'an Drum music and puts forwards some effective measures to protect and pass down the heritage of Xi'an drum music in view of its current situation.