The Course Of Development Of The Pipa Wu Qu And Artistic Features

Pipa, a popular national plucked instrument, is a great combination of foreign crooked neck pipa and domestic Han pipa in China. Famous as the king of Chinese folk instruments, pipa yields both distinct performing techniques and artistic expressivity.As the most component of pipa arts, Wu Qu (strong melody, or military tune) experienced three historical stages. In general, Wu Qu was boomed in Nanbei, Sui and Tang Dynasties, decayed in Song Dynasty, and matured in Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties.According to the pipa music handed down after generations, Wu Qu consists of Wu Ban (short Wu Qu) and Wu Tao (long Wu Qu). Of note, based on realism, narration, artistry and expressivity, the Wu Tao vividly displays meaningful thoughts and artistic quintessence, which has been regarded as a typical representative of Wu Qu.This thesis reviewed the developmental history and cultural content of pipa as well as the concept and developmental course of Wu Qu. On the basis of famous Wu Tao Ambush from All Sides and The Conqueror Taking off His Armour, it summarized the artistic features of Wu Qu from modality, finesse to aesthetics. In other words, Wu Qu has flexible tempo and comprehensive formation, various routine techniques and nonmusical finesse, and prototypic imagery, infectious emotion, profound thinking and perfect performance.Systemic grasp of the developmental course and artistic features of Wu Qu will further contribute to extracting and expressing the essence for performers, as well as recognizing and understanding the quintessence for audiences, ultimately leading to inheriting and developing the arts of pipa.