Jincheng Gongs and Drums
The original name of the Jincheng Gong and Drum was Jincheng Song. It is popular in Fuzhuang Village, Dongcun, Chengguan Village, and Weijiayao Village in Fengzhou Town, Wuxiang, Changzhi. It is a very special form of Han folk art. This kind of gong and drum is played with the conversion formula of sixteen liang to one jin in the old measurement system. The whole set of gongs and drums is played in fifteen consecutive times, and the formula is different each time. Therefore, it cannot be played all the way through, nor can it be repeated, and it is different from the general continuous playing of tunes. From the time when Qin Shihuang formulated unified weights and measures to the beginning of the founding of New China, my country has always used the weight measurement method of sixteen liang system. Yang Hui of the Southern Song Dynasty created the rhyme of "two prices to jin price": "one ask, alternate 625; two ask, retreat 125; three ask, record 1875", that is, one liang is equal to 0.0625 jin, two liang is equal to 0.125 jin, and three liang is equal to 0.1875 jin. The artists used a combination of drums, gongs, and cymbals to play the 16-liang (jin scale) rhyme in 2/4 and 3/4 beats, "one is 625, two is 125, three is 1875, four is 25, and five is 3125", which is the prototype of the jin scale song. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, the gong and drum artists in Wuxiang area continuously sorted, processed, innovated and improved, and in the long-term practice, they incorporated other artistic elements, so that the 16-liang "jin scale song" gradually formed a local percussion music with a certain pattern and unique characteristics, which has been passed down to this day. The jin scale gongs and drums are loud and clear, with a brisk rhythm, ups and downs, ups and downs, left and right, and sonorous and powerful. They are widely used in folk bands, folk instrumental ensembles, and various dramas, folk arts, songs and dances, and wind and percussion music. A large number of people with high skills and profound arts have emerged in the local community fire performances, which are deeply welcomed by the people. This form of community fire performance, which combines Han folk art with numbers and integrates knowledge, fun and entertainment, can be regarded as a unique folk culture and art of the Han nationality in Shanxi. Today, although its mathematical application function has become a thing of the past, its cultural and entertainment function will last forever. Information source: General Office of Shanxi Provincial Government (No pictures yet, welcome to provide.) Information source: General Office of Shanxi Provincial Government (No pictures yet, welcome to provide.)