The gonghou and the harp are two different types of stringed instruments that differ in appearance, vocal range, playing technique, and more.
Konghou, also known as "Konggonghou", is one of the ancient Chinese plucked musical instruments, with a soft timbre, crisp and pleasant, originated in ancient China, rectangular or trapezoidal in shape, with 13 or 16 strings, plucked with fingers. In ancient times, it was deeply loved by the court and the people, but because the court was afraid of the spread of the gonghou, the shape of the gonghou could not be improved, the technology was degraded, and the repertoire was scarce, and finally it was even called "the sound of the court", which was lost in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties.
What are the characteristics of the timbre of the gonghou and the harp?
Compared with the harp, the sound of the gonghou is crisper and brighter, as clear as the flowing water in the mountains. Its tone is melodious, graceful and listening, not only the momentum of mountains and flowing water, but also the softness of birds and flowers. The strings are generally made of precious materials such as pure silver, pure gold or pure copper, so as to better express the melodious and soft timbre of the gonghou.
The harp's timbre is softer and more mellow. Its tone flows slowly like flowing water, long and captivating. The harp is rich in timbre, with obvious high and low scales, and can show the emotional ups and downs in **. Compared to the gonghou, the harp is more complex to play and requires a high level of skill and patience.
The harp is a Western plucked musical instrument with a rich, high-pitched timbre and a triangular surface, which needs to be played by standing next to the piano. It originated in the West and its history can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome. The harp usually has 47 strings and uses finger or gear operation to adjust the pitch, and it has a wide range and is widely used in Western classical and popular.
In addition to the differences in appearance and timbre, the playing techniques of the gonghou and the harp are also different. The gonghou is usually played with simpler single-note chords, while the harp uses many complex playing techniques, such as scales and beats, various two-note chords, portamentos, etc.
The historical relationship between the gonghou and the harp
The historical relationship between the gonghou and the harp can be traced back to the Middle East in 2000 BC. At that time, people called a stringed instrument with one string called a harp, and a stringed instrument with multiple strings was called a gonghou. The name Konghou derives from the "hollow tube" because its original shape was a hollow long tube. The history of the gonghou can be traced back to the Stone Age of ancient China, while the harp dates back to the ancient Greek and Roman eras.
How difficult is it to play the gonghou and the harp?
The gonghou and the harp are both stringed instruments with an ancient history, and each has its own unique playing techniques and challenges. In the performance of Konghou, the player needs to adjust the pitch precisely because the pitch of the Konghou is determined by the string length and tension. At the same time, the vocal range of Konghou is wider, and the performer needs to have a high level of cultivation to master. The difficulty of playing the harp should not be underestimated, requiring not only flexible finger skills, but also a wealth of theoretical knowledge and imagination. The vocal range of the harp is narrower than that of the gonghou, but the player needs to show the beauty of ** through the combination of notes and the control of the beat.
What are the applications of gonghou and harp in the creation of **?
Both the gonghou and the harp are expressive stringed instruments that play an important role in the creation of **.
With its low and long timbre, Konghou is widely used in the creation of classical and ethnic **. In China, Konghou is known as the "three major musical instruments of China" together with the guqin and the guzheng, and is often used to play ancient songs in Chinese classics and nationalities. In the West, Konghou is also often used in film soundtracks and modern creations, bringing a mysterious and solemn atmosphere to the works.
With its melodious and clear timbre, the harp is widely used in classical and modern creations. In the classical **, the harp is often played with other stringed instruments and becomes an important part of the symphony orchestra. In modern times, the harp can play its own unique charm in a variety of styles such as electronic and jazz, making the work present a bright and energetic feeling.
Konghou and harp, whether in the creation or performance, have their unique charm and influence.
In general, although the gonghou and the harp are both stringed instruments, they are very different in appearance, timbre, playing techniques, etc., and each has a unique value in ancient and modern times.