The Inheritance And Development Of Chinese Traditional

Both Chinese traditional music and Chinese musical instrument Gu Zheng has long historical roots in China. Gu Zheng music was introduced in Malaysia as a result of the migration of Chinese nationals to Malaysia in the mid 19th century to 20th century. Traditional Gu Zheng music with distinctive regional styles as well as Chinese folk music were amongst the widely spread genres during the introductory period of Gu Zheng in Malaysia. This paper aims to study the inheritance, modification and development of traditional Gu Zheng music in Malaysia through the adaptation of Gu Zheng music works by Malaysian Gu Zheng musician Mr. Phang Kwong Poh and the classification and analysis of materials obtained through interviews with senior Gu Zheng musicians in Malaysia. The first chapter of the paper will be focusing in the introduction and spreading of Gu Zheng music culture in Malaysia subsequent to the migration of Chinese locals to Malaysia with data collected through researches as well as the analysis of the current development of Gu Zheng in Malaysia, Chinese and Malaysian cultural exchanges and localization of Gu Zheng music culture in Malaysia. Second chapter of the paper will focus on the study and analysis of music adaptations of traditional Gu Zheng works by pioneer Malaysian Gu Zheng musician, Mr. Phang Kwong Poh through interviews and data collecting with the musician himself. Most of the works and adaptations by Mr. Phang were composed for steel-stringed Gu Zheng with combinations between traditional Chinese Gu Zheng music and western composition techniques. The following characteristics were concluded through the analysis of Mr.Phang’s adaptation of Guang Dong music "Rain Drops on Banana Leaves", namely (1) addition of intro strengthening the mood of music, (2) addition of harmonies, chromatic notes and microtones, enriching the music with the use of sustain notes, (3) multi parts developments, cross-octave adaptations, (4) Gu Zheng rhyming methods and special notations, (5) Tunings. In this study, the author explores the process of the introduction and development of Gu Zheng music in Malaysia.Interviews and private Gu Zheng lessons in traditional pieces with Mr.Phang. The author also analyzes the spreading and current development of Gu Zheng music in Malaysia in hopes to provide theoretical data for future researchers.