中国乐器

广西 蒋海云

对于中国的乐器，你了解多少呢？

主题语境：乐器 篇幅：365词 建议用时：7分钟

1Chinese musical instruments can trace its history to several thousand years ago.Each of the instruments produces a unique sound and effect.These Chinese musical instruments not only entertain people but also play an important part in traditional Chinese culture.Now let us have a look at some famous Chinese musical instruments.

2Erhuis a kind of two-stringed bowed musical instrument.Its history can date back to the Tang Dynasty over 1,000 years ago.Erhucan be used in a solo performance as well as in small musical groups and large orchestras.It is one of the most popular bowed string instruments used by many ethnic groups in China.This instrument is very popular in the Asian culture circle.The classicalerhumelodies includeThe Moon over a Fountain(《二泉映月》),Horse Racing(《赛马》)andJackdaw Playing in the Water(《寒鸦戏水》).

3Guzhengis a Chinese plucked (弹) zither.It is made of 18-23 or more strings and movable bridges.People believe that it was invented during the Warring States Period.The performer plucks the strings at the right portion with his right hand,and his left hand presses the string on the left side of the bridge to produce pitch(音高)ornamentation and vibrato(颤音).The skilled player can create sounds that can evoke the sense of waterfall, thunder, and even the scenic countryside.The classicalguzhengmelodies includeHigh Mountain and Running Water(《高山流水》),Fishing Boat Sings the Evening(《渔舟唱晚》)andThe Moon over the Han Palace(《汉宫秋月》).

4Diziis a Chinese style flute.Diziis made of bamboo, and the body has six finger-holes, one blow-hole,and an extra hole between them covered by a thin membrane(薄膜)of reed.Diziis a classical Chinese musical instrument widely used.It is also very popular with the common Chinese people as it is easier to make and play than other musical instruments.The classicaldizimelodies includeGuangling Verse(《广陵散》),Moon on Guan Mountain(《关山月》),Wild Geese on the Sandbank(《平沙落雁》)andPlum-blossom in Three Movements(《梅花三弄》).

5Other traditional Chinese musical instruments includesuona, the big drum, chimes(编钟),xiao,hulusi,pipa,guqinand so on.

Reading Check

1.How many Chinese musical instruments are introduced in detail?

A.Two.B.Three.C.Six.D.Ten.

2.Which melody is created by usingerhu?

A.Jackdaw Playing in the Water.

B.High Mountain and Running Water.

C.The Moon over the Han Palace.

D.Moon on Guan Mountain.

3.What does the underlined word“evoke”in paragraph 3 probably mean?

A.Imitate.B.Use.C.Bring.D.Outline.

Language Study

Difficult sentences

1.These Chinese musical instruments not only entertain people but also play an important part in traditional Chinese culture.这些中国乐器不仅给人们带来娱乐，而且在中国传统文化中起着重要的作用。

【点石成金】该句中，not only...but also...意为“不但……而且……”，在句中连接两个并列的成分。

2.The performer plucks the strings at the right portion with his right hand,and his left hand presses the string on the left side of the bridge to produce pitch ornamentation and vibrato.表演者用右手弹右边的弦，左手按琴马左边的弦，以产生音高和颤音。

【点石成金】该句中，and 连接两个并列句，to produce pitch ornamentation and vibrato为动词不定式作目的状语。

Cultural Background

琵琶——传统弹拨乐器

琵琶，弹拨乐器首座，拨弦类弦鸣乐器，是中国传统弹拨乐器，已有两千多年的历史。琵琶是由木制或竹等制成，音箱呈半梨形，上装四弦，原先是用丝线，现多用钢丝、钢绳、尼龙制成。琵琶颈与面板上设有以确定音位的“相”和“品”，演奏时竖抱，左手按弦，右手五指弹奏，是可独奏、伴奏、重奏、合奏的重要民族乐器。

最早被称为“琵琶”的乐器大约在中国秦朝出现。其名“琵”“琶”是根据演奏这些乐器的右手技法而来的，也就是说，琵和琶原是两种弹奏手法的名称，琵是右手向前弹，琶是右手向后挑。