Sounds of China PodPage

Overview

In this audio series we explore unique aspects of Chinese music through sounds, performance and interviews. Users can listen online, download individual files, or subscribe to the Podcast.

Suggested Use

In this series, you will hear three episodes that each explores a different aspect of Chinese music—the endangered music of the Yunnan peoples; the tradtional sounds of the pipa, bamboo flute, qin and other Chinese instruments; and the creative space between them, where sounds ancient and avant-garde intersect.

There are several ways to access the audio stories: Go to our “pod page” by clicking on "view resource," above. There, you and your students can listen online or download individual MP3 files.  Subscribe to the Podcast by copying and pasting this URL into your podcatcher: http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/podcasts/soundsOfChina.xml If you use iTunes as your podcatcher, subscribe directly by clicking the icon

For classroom use, we recommend giving students a bit of background information about the music—which they will find very different from Western music!—by downloading and distributing the Cuesheet excerpt, Music of China, which describes traditional Chinese music in an easy-to-read format. You may also wish to download and use the Podcast Program Notes [PDF file] which give an extended synopses of each piece.

Technical Requirements

To access the online PodPage, you will need the Flash 7 player. To subscribe to the podcast, you will need "podcatching" software, like iTunes, Odeo or MyYahoo!, and the ability to download through your firewall.

This PodPage contains mp3 files, which can be played on any mp3 player, or on your PC or Mac using Windows Media Player, QuickTime, iTunes, and others. Double click on the file after it downloads and it will play in your default player.