Kouxian
Encyclopedia
Kouxian is the Chinese
generic term for the jaw harp, and as such is used to refer to all such instruments originating in China
. In the Chinese language, however, the term is used to refer to all jaw harps, whether from China or elsewhere.
The kouxian, which likely originated in Asia
, is used throughout China, and is particularly popular among non-Han ethnic groups living in China's southwest
(including Yunnan
, Guangxi
, and Guizhou
). Each of these ethnic groups has its own name for the instrument in that ethnic group's own language. Such names include ho-hos. Kouxian may be made from bamboo
or metal, and are often used as a courting
instrument.
One variety of kouxian consists of between one and five brass
leaves which are plucked in front of the opened mouth, using the mouth as a resonance chamber
. Each leaf produces a different pitched sound when plucked, and the pitches are further refined by changing the volume and shape of the oral cavity. Leaves may be plucked one at a time or many at once to produce synthesizer
-like melody. Many three leaved kouxian are tuned root
, minor third, fourth: the first three notes of the minor and blues minor pentatonic scales
.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
generic term for the jaw harp, and as such is used to refer to all such instruments originating in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. In the Chinese language, however, the term is used to refer to all jaw harps, whether from China or elsewhere.
The kouxian, which likely originated in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, is used throughout China, and is particularly popular among non-Han ethnic groups living in China's southwest
Southwest China
Southwest China is a region of the People's Republic of China defined by governmental bureaus that includes the municipality of Chongqing, the provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou, and the Tibet Autonomous Region.-Provinces:-Municipalities:...
(including Yunnan
Yunnan
Yunnan is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the far southwest of the country spanning approximately and with a population of 45.7 million . The capital of the province is Kunming. The province borders Burma, Laos, and Vietnam.Yunnan is situated in a mountainous area, with...
, Guangxi
Guangxi
Guangxi, formerly romanized Kwangsi, is a province of southern China along its border with Vietnam. In 1958, it became the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, a region with special privileges created specifically for the Zhuang people.Guangxi's location, in...
, and Guizhou
Guizhou
' is a province of the People's Republic of China located in the southwestern part of the country. Its provincial capital city is Guiyang.- History :...
). Each of these ethnic groups has its own name for the instrument in that ethnic group's own language. Such names include ho-hos. Kouxian may be made from bamboo
Bamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
or metal, and are often used as a courting
Courtship
Courtship is the period in a couple's relationship which precedes their engagement and marriage, or establishment of an agreed relationship of a more enduring kind. In courtship, a couple get to know each other and decide if there will be an engagement or other such agreement...
instrument.
One variety of kouxian consists of between one and five brass
Brass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties.In comparison, bronze is principally an alloy of copper and tin...
leaves which are plucked in front of the opened mouth, using the mouth as a resonance chamber
Resonance chamber
A resonance chamber uses resonance to amplify sound. The chamber has interior surfaces which reflect an acoustic wave. When a wave enters the chamber, it bounces back and forth within the chamber with low loss...
. Each leaf produces a different pitched sound when plucked, and the pitches are further refined by changing the volume and shape of the oral cavity. Leaves may be plucked one at a time or many at once to produce synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
-like melody. Many three leaved kouxian are tuned root
Root (chord)
In music theory, the root of a chord is the note or pitch upon which a triadic chord is built. For example, the root of the major triad C-E-G is C....
, minor third, fourth: the first three notes of the minor and blues minor pentatonic scales
Pentatonic scale
A pentatonic scale is a musical scale with five notes per octave in contrast to a heptatonic scale such as the major scale and minor scale...
.
Video
- "Chinese KOU XIAN Jew's Harp by TRAN QUANG HAI", YouTube.com.