Research on the pitch standard of Huangzhong in the Song Dynasty based on the Daxing Bell

Author: Li Youping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: This article takes the known Great Sheng bells of the Song Dynasty, both within and outside China, as a starting point. Through the study of history, archaeology, and musicology, it reveals the temporal characteristics of Song Dynasty bronze chime sets, particularly the intrinsic connection with the Huangzhong standard pitch. Furthermore, based on the actual sounds preserved in the extant Sheng bells, it discusses and determines the Huangzhong standard pitch of the Song Dynasty. The Great Sheng bells were fixed-pitch bronze percussion instruments designed and cast during the Great Sheng New Music period established and promoted by Emperor Huizong of the Northern Song Dynasty. They exhibit the external features of traditional Chinese combined-oval-shaped chime sets while embodying the contemporary understanding and actual achievements of Song Dynasty scientists and musicologists in researching, manufacturing, and using chime sets. The author collected relevant data on a total of twenty-five Great Sheng bells from cultural and archaeological departments in nine provinces and cities in China, as well as from Japan, Canada, and other regions and countries. Through investigation and research, it was found that these extant physical artifacts show certain typological differences in form, decoration, and inscriptions, reflecting corresponding temporal and individual characteristics. In terms of current musical performance, they exhibit relatively regular logical relationships, demonstrating their intrinsic connections and the original musical characteristics. The combination of these two aspects illustrates, from different perspectives, that although these extant artifacts may have undergone different manufacturing processes and transmission histories, they are all products of the implementation of the Northern Song Great Sheng bell standard and still retain the actual sounds of that era. The Great Sheng bells were important tools for pitch measurement and calibration in the Song Dynasty court. However, for a long time, people have had limited understanding of their value and functions. Through extensive field and historical material investigations, the author has fully summarized the significant role of the Great Sheng bells in determining the Huangzhong standard pitch of the Song Dynasty, which has played a positive role in the research and teaching of ancient Chinese musicology.