A STUDY ON THE CHARACTERISTICS AND INHERITANCE OF CHINESE YAZHENG

Why do the yazheng have different shapes and production processes in different places? What is the effect of the reformation of yazheng in modern times? Based on the survived real yazheng in modern time and historical documents, this study gives an overview of the similarities and differences of yazheng found in different places and discusses its contemporary inheritance and development. Using the theoretical lens of ethnomusicology and perspectives including the origin of musical instruments and playing methods, this study investigates the development of the yazheng in the same historical context and cross-contexts. I believe the strategy for the survival of the yazheng originated from the influence of the strong culture at that time and was also driven by the social power hierarchy and historical environment.