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About

Pipa

The pipa is a traditional Chinese instrument whose history goes back some 2000 years. The shape of the instrument resembles that of a pear and it is often referred as the Chinese lute. The modern Pipa has 30 frets played over four strings that are tuned A-E-D-A (La-Mi-Re-La) and covers a tonal range of 3-1/2 octaves. It is played by strumming or plucking the strings with a plectra or special fake nails attached to each finger of the right hand.

Traditionally, most pieces for pipa were taught from masters to students orally and by imitating. Today, the simplified version of music scores are commonly used in which numbers representing pitch and symbols representing finger techniques that are used. The standard western music scores are used in recent days due to the advantages in ensemble pieces and pipa concertos.

Double Bass

The double bass is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument of the viol family. It is used extensively in Western classical music as a standard member of the string section of symphony orchestras. As with most other string instruments, the double bass is played with a bow (arco) or by plucking the strings (pizzicato).

The double bass is generally tuned in fourths, in contrast to the other members of the string family, which are all tuned in fifths. Although it is uncommon to be used as a solo instrument, it has a wide range of up to 5 octaves with rich deep sound.

Piano

The piano is among the most popular musical instrument today. The standard piano has 88 keys (7-1/3 octaves) and its wide range makes piano suitable for solo performance, chamber music, and accompaniment. It is often classified as percussion instrument as well as a keyboard due to the action of the felt hammer striking the string to produce the sound.

Music for Qi Lin

Since there is no composition written originally for the combination of pipa, double bass and piano, all music currently performed by Qi Lin is transcription or arrangement of music composed for other instruments. Members of Qi Lin are always on the lookout for music that matches their intentions as well as fit their instruments. Qi Lin has commissioned composer Yao Chen, with the assistance of the Art Institute of Chicago, to compose a new piece for pipa and double bass which will be featured in upcoming concerts.