ARTS



//**Chinese Music: By Maureen B. **//


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Although Opera and Rap are two completely different music styles, these musics in China has developed over time, changing from the music of Chinese past, to music listened to now. Chinese music has evolved throughout the past centuries. Chinese music started as traditional instrumentals, then evolved into regional tunes, and is now evolving into modern music, like Rap, Pop, and Hip Hop. ======

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Traditional music started during the start of Chinese Civilization. "Only royal families enjoyed music, which was made on chimes and bells.” (Travelchinaguide). This early music of China was played with various instruments, such as stringed instruments, flutes, and various cymbals, gongs, and drums. The vocal music was sung by a high pitched soloist rather than a chorus. It is believed that the original music pieces were poems sung with music. Chinese opera has been very popular for centuries. This style of music was around for a long time, but eventually it transformed into something else. ====== 

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Traditional Chinese music later evolved into Regional music. This style is a more religious form of music. Chanting remains perhaps the best-known form of Tibetan Buddhist music. These chants are very complex. Sacred texts were chanted accompanied by drums and cymbals. But the evolution of music did not stop there. ======

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Finally, Chinese music has evolved into music we listen to now.Many traditional Chinese instruments are combined with popular instruments of Western cultures, creating many sounds and rhythms. Instruments that were once used in Traditional music such as the piano are used in creating modern works. “Their incorporation with western musical instruments and the adoption of Western styles and conventions in singing are what make modern music unique”. (Char4U). This mixture of techniques and sounds make Chinese music what it is today! Who would have guessed the classic Chinese opera would eventually morph into music we dance to today! The evolution of Chinese music has left us with a huge variety of music, including, opera, religious tunes, pop, hip-hop, and even rap! * ======

//**Jade Carvings: By Hailey R.**//
====With it's shinny and smooth looks, and it's pretty green coloring, jade will intrest you with one look. Jade is a mineral found in many riverbeds and mountains all over China. Although jade was at first only used for comfort, its importance later changed. Throughtout time in China, jade carvings showed a connection to the dead, strong traditions and the importance of culture. ====

====Jade carvings were seen as art, but also as a connection to people who died. "Over four thousand years ago in China, great quantities (amounts) of jade utensils were often laid over or around a casket.." (Chinese Jade) Knowing that this was over 4,000 years ago and this tradition is still going on, you can see how the love and respect of others is very important. ====

= = Did you know that an object could show both tradition and culture? Jade carvings can do just that. "Brush pots for artists, for instance, and paper weights for scholars." (Welles) If you could tell a strangers job before ever meeting them or knowing anything about them just seeing a piece of art, it is safe to say that there is more importance to jade than meets the eye. And for culture? "Bats coupled with birthday peaches referred to good fortune and longevity (long life); bats mixed with sika (small deer) was also seen as a good omen (sign)..." (Chinese Jade Art) Culture is not just important to China, but to every country. Although the United States does not have jade to express things, we use other objects. Can you think of any? <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> //**<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Chinese Brush Painting By Matthew H. **// The Chinese art of painting is different from any other ways of painting in the others continents. The brush strokes are the key to the making of the picture into how it is supposed to be. A lot of inks and different types of brushes are used in making these pictures. Different materials to make the art on include silk and paper. These strokes are what give the viewer the feel of the actual picture’s mood and inner meaning. This art had many ages to develop and change in the land of China. __//**
 * //__Chinese Brush Painting of Panda Bears

The art of the Chinese brush was created a long time ago, even before paper, in China and used to decorate rather than painting for art. After a while Chinese brush painting was much more appreciated and began to be tended by the Chinese. This art could also be called the root of all other visual arts in China. It is most closely similar to the Chinese art of calligraphy, or stylized character or symbol drawing. Schools in ancient China were made to teach those who really wanted to learn this art of brush painting. The art kept developing and became what Chinese brush painting is today: an art form that expresses both artist and art with the many strokes of an ink stained brush.

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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> Work Sited... "Chinese Music." __<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">AsianInfo.org __<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">. 2000. 17 Mar. 2009 <http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/entertainment/music/china.htm>. "Modern Chinese Music." __<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The Culture of China __<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">. 1998. 16 Mar. 2009 <http://library.thinkquest.org/20443/modern_music.html>. "Chinese Jade, A Brief Introduction." Chinese Jade. 10 Mar. 2009 <www.chinatownconnection.com>;. ====== <span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> "Chinese Jade Art." China Style. 10 Mar. 2009 <www.thinkquest.org>;. Welles, Elenore. "CHINESE JADE FROM THE CH'ING DYNASTY. Cherret, Pauline. Chinese Brush Painting. London or Hong Kong. Wellfleet Press. Copyright 1991.“Chinese Art.” Chinese Art. Copyright visual- arts-cork.com 2008-2009. Irish Art Encyclopedia. 8 February 2009. <http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/east-asian- art/chinese.htm>Chinese Brush Painting. Copyright 2008. Asia-Art.Net. 19 February 2009. <http://www.asia-art.net/chinese_brush.html>“Painting.” Visual Arts. Copyright 1998. China An Inner Realm. 13 February 2009. <http://library.thinkquest.org/20443/g_painting.html> <[]> <[|http://www.chinesebrushpainting.eu/images/paintings/pandas.jpg>]