Xi'an Guyue: Ancient ensemble awaits another millennium

Many experts believe the notation system is the key to unlocking the mysteries of musical art in ancient China. But at the same time, the centuries-old system has, to an extent, hindered its mass popularization.

The strict master-apprentice mechanism also surfaced as an evitable barrier. Even in the 21st century, many performers still insist on an ancient rule that the skills can't be passed down to females.

Efforts underway

Ma Xiping, a female professor in music at Xi'an Jiaotong University, decided to change the status quo. Since 2001, she started to visit Zhao Gengchen, an expert and inheritor of Xi'an Guyue, to record him singing via words, audio/video recordings and photographs.

She led her students to Zhao's place every week to record a score and translate it into numbered musical notation and stave. "We used up five recorders in five years," Ma Xiping said.

Zhao Gengchen passed away on May 6, 2015, which is a great loss to the inheritance of Xi'an Guyue, but thanks to Ma and her students' efforts Zhao's legacy lives on.