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Sheng
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Sheng (instrument)




The Chinese sheng (, Pinyin ''shēng'') is a Mouth -blown Free Reed Instrument (the first) consisting essentially of vertical tubes, in the Chinese Orchestra .

It is thought that Johann Wilde and Pere Amiot traveled to China and brought the first shengs back to Europe in 1740 and 1777 respectively, although some believe shengs were known in Europe centuries earlier. However, it was only in the early 1800s that Amiot's sheng inspired the invention of the Harmonica , Accordion , and Reed Organ .

Sheng generally serves as Accompaniment for Chinese music pieces in an orchestra, while being given little or no Melody .


TYPES

There used to be many types of sheng, but several survived into the modern era.
  • Gaoyin sheng (, Pinyin ''Gāoyīn Shēng'')
    High-pitched sheng; Uses treble Clef

  • Zhongyin sheng (, Pinyin ''Zhōngyīn Shēng'')
    Middle-pitched sheng; Uses treble or alto clef

  • Diyin sheng (, Pinyin ''Dīyīn Shēng'')
    Low-pitched sheng; Uses alto or bass clef

  • Traditional sheng (, Pinyin ''Chuántǒng Shēng'')
    21-keyed sheng; Uses treble clef




Traditional sheng



SEE ALSO



EXTERNAL LINKS

  • http://curriculum.calstatela.edu/courses/hist494a/archae/zhy-sheng.html

  • http://www.patmissin.com/history/western.html

  • http://www.chime.com.cn/A-5-1.htm