North American Guqin Association |
Chinese poetry through the guqin: a practical tool to learn Chinese language and cultureDear Qin Friends, Confucius said: “To educate somebody, you should start with poetry, emphasize ritual, and finish with music”. NAGA has developed a series new class that will combine poetry and music with guqin study and aims to deepen the appreciation of Chinese poetry and guqin culture through the exploration of guqin songs. It is designed for complete beginners and experienced players alike. It will start Sunday, April 8th, 2012 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Space is limited so please register now. http://www.chineseculture.net/guqin/newsletters/12nagaevents/12nagaclassregisterform.doc Courses objectivesStudents will not only learn how to play the guqin and sing poems by famous poets from different Chinese dynasties, but also will learn standard Mandarin through these poems. This course will provide a practical, interdisciplinary approach to the study of Chinese language and culture. About 3000 pieces of guqin music have been handed down from past dynasties, of which about a third contain lyrics. However because the guqin has become an endangered instrument, they are unknown to most people. This course therefore also aims to preserve and promote guqin music and the singing of guqin songs. At the end of the course, students will be able to sing at least five famous Chinese poems while playing the guqin, and will have a broad appreciation of Chinese culture. Course descriptionTopics covered include: systematic coverage of guqin playing and performance techniques guqin history, tradition, theory, handbooks, and repertory the use of singing to enhance guqin playing and of guqin playing to enhance singing the historical background of the poems, authentic diction of the song texts, pronunciation of classical poetry, recitation and singing, and poetry translation the technique of traditional guqin songs following the method of guqin master Zha Fuxi, which is now almost lost The classes will consist of lectures and practical sessions, and will include PowerPoint presentations to explain guqin notation, to show music in guqin tablature and staff notation, and to show poems in Chinese characters, Pinyin with tone indications and English translation. Practical informationFees $400 for 5 weeksVenue
Class sizeBecause we intend to run a beginner-friendly group using a traditional teaching style, one student per guqin, space is limited. InstrumentsInstruments can be either rented for the full 5 weeks duration of the course(rental can be credited towards the purchase of a qin) or purchased from the teacher. Chinese music specialist and NAGA class sponsor Beijingers.com will provide discounts for students enrolled in the 10 week class, with prices of guqins starting from only $399 (please see the description of each model recommended for students enrolled in this class). Good guqins will be provided for use during the classes, one for each student. Students do not need to bring their own instruments.
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Registration
The number of places is limited, and space is available on a first-come-first-served basis, so please register now! Email registration is highly recommended! Please email your registration form to info@guqin.org. Your reservation is not confirmed until NAGA staff contact you and your registration is fully paid. No refunds or exchanges once payment is received. Tuition is non-transferable. Fill out the registration below and print out along with your payment send to: North American Guqin Association PO BOX 7113 Fremont, CA 94537-7113 Please
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For details of any of these classes and to enroll, please email info@guqin.org or call 1-866-841-9139 ext.1555.
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