Qupai in Chinese Music

<p>This book explores <i>qupai</i> melodic models upon which most traditional Chinese instrumental (and some vocal) music is based. It explains <i>qupai</i> as a musical system exploring its historic development structural organization influence on ensemble and solo repertoires compositional usage in <i>Kunqu</i> classical opera and appearance with other <i>qupai</i> and non-<i>qupai</i> tunes in formation of the great suites of North China. This is the first Western-language study on the background of the <i>qupai</i> tradition its structural characteristics and the methods by which melodies have been varied in creation of repertoire. It makes an important contribution to East Asian music ethnomusicology and music theory. </p>