Thirteenth International Conference on The Arts in Society

Abstract

Chaozhou pipa is Chinese traditional folk instrument from the cultural of Chaoshan area, China. Due to the external communication of traditional culture in contemporary China，not only the Chaoshan people, a growing number of Chaoshan cultural outsiders are starting to learn to play Chaozhou Pipa which the traditional folk musical instrument of Chaoshan area. From the perspectives of musicians, this paper provides an investigation on Chaozhou Pipa players and the characteristics of performance and an analysis of ethnography and culture. It draws the following conclusions: Based on the oral data and related literature, today’s Chaozhou Pipa players are musicians inside and outside Chaoshan culture. Inside players are the holders of Chaoshan traditional culture and descendants of traditional Chaozhou Pipa performing. While the participation of the outside players provides a broader space for the development and spread of Chaozhou Pipa and its spirit of humanity. However, the cultural difference plays a crucial role in the performing difference between insiders and outsiders. It needs a long-term cultural accumulation to grasp the charm of Chaozhou Pipa, especially its essence of “alive.” Therefore, Chaozhou Pipa still belongs to the insiders of Chaoshan culture.