History and Development of Theory of Lü: A Translation of Selected Chapters of Huang Ti-Pei's Perspectives of Chinese Music

• Main Author: Chen, Whey-Fen
• Other Authors: Cho, Gene J.
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: North Texas State University 1985
• Subjects: theory of tone generation; Chinese music; tone systems; Tonality.; Music > China.
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc504186/

This study first narrates on the importance of theory of lü-lü (theory of tone generation) in the history of Chinese music from the Chou Dynasty (ca. 400 B.C.) to the Chin Dynasty (ca. end of 19th century), its symbolism and ramification. The main body of this study is devoted to critical translation of Huang Ti-Pei's Perspectives of Chinese Music, particularly those sections which give chronological narratives and comparative critiques of major theories of lü-lü, in order to provide the western scholarship with documents toward understanding the evolution of tone system of Chinese music. The study concludes with a comparison of Chinese tone systems from ancient time to present, and offers comments on comparison of tone systems between the eastern and western musics.