MUSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WESTERN FLUTE INTEGRATION INTO CHINESE MUSIC: A FOCUS ON LITTLE FISH PINK CHEEKS SONG

Abstract

This study explores the integration of the Western flute into Chinese folk music, focusing on the composition Little Fish Pink Cheeks by Dinghe Zhang. The objective is to analyze how Western flute techniques are adapted to fit Chinese music's modal, rhythmic, and melodic structures, particularly in the context of cross-cultural musical fusion. The research was conducted at music institutions in China, including the Northwest University for Nationalities, the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, and the Sichuan Conservatory of Music. Two Key informants included prominent flutists and composers. A qualitative approach, combining musicological analysis, interviews, and performance observation, was used to assess this integration's musical characteristics and cultural implications. The results show that the Western flute can enhance the expressiveness of Chinese folk music while preserving its cultural identity, though challenges remain in replicating microtonal subtleties. Suggestions include expanding research to other Western instruments, enhancing microtonal adaptability, incorporating cross-cultural music into education, and conducting longitudinal studies on evolving integrations. This study contributes to the broader understanding of cross-cultural musicology and the blending of Eastern and Western musical traditions.

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