Pipa

::This article is about pipa, a musical instrument. For the acronym PIPA, see Program on International Policy Attitudes.

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The pipa ?? (pinyin pípá) is a traditional Chinese musical instrument. Sometimes called the Chinese lute, the instrument has a pear-shaped wooden body. It has been played for nearly two thousand years of history in China, and belongs to the plucked category of intruments (彈撥樂器). Several related instruments in East and Southeast Asia are derived from the pipa; these include the Japanese biwa, the Vietnamese ?àn t? bà, and the Korean pip'a. The Korean instrument is the only one of the three that is no longer used; although it existed in Korea in ancient times, its use died out. Attempts to resurrect the instrument have failed, though several examples survive in museums.

Related Topics:
Pinyin - Chinese - Musical instrument - Lute - Japan - Biwa - Vietnam - ?àn t? bà

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The name "pipa" is made up of two Chinese syllables, "Pi" ? and "Pa" ?. These are the two most common ways of playing this instrument. "Pi" is to push the index finger of the right hand from right to left, and "pa" is to pull the thumb of the right hand from left to right, in the opposite direction. The strings were originally played using a large plectrum in the Tang Dynasty, then gradually replaced by the fingernails of the right hand. Since the revolutions in Chinese instrument making during the 20th century, the softer twisted silk strings of earlier times have been exchanged for nylon-wound steel strings, which are far too strong for human fingernails, so false nails are now used, constructed of plastic or tortoise-shell, and affixed to the fingertips with the player's choice of elastic tape.

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Prototypes of the pipa already existed in China in the Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 206/207 BC). At that time, there were two types of pipa. One was straight-necked, with a round sound box, and two faces mounted with leather. The other was believed to be inspired by the primitive forms of zheng, konghou, and zou. It also has a straight neck, a round sound box, and also four strings, along with twelve standards of notes. This model was later developed into the instrument known today as the ruan. The modern pipa is closer to the instrument which originated in Persia (where it was called barbat) and was introduced into China beginning in the late Jin Dynasty (265-420 AD). By the Tang era, the pipa had become popular in the imperial court. It had a crooked neck, 4 or 5 silk strings, and 5 or 6 frets, and was played with a plectrum in a horizonal position. As the ages went by, the crooked neck was replaced by a straight one, the number of frets increased to between 30 and 32, the plectrum was replaced by fingernails and the horizontal playing position was replaced by the vertical (or near-vertical) position. During this time, the five-stringed pipa became lost.

Related Topics:
Qin Dynasty - 221 BC - 206 - 207 BC - Sound box - Zheng - Konghou - Zou - Ruan - Jin Dynasty

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The pipa became a favourite in the Tang Dynasty, during which time Persian performers and teachers were in demand in the capital, Chang'an (which had a large Persian community). Many delicately carved pipas with beautiful inlaid patterns date from this period. Masses of pipa-playing Buddhist semi-deities are depicted in the wall paintings of the Mogao Caves near Dunhuang.

Related Topics:
Tang Dynasty - Chang'an - Buddhist - Mogao Caves - Dunhuang

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The pipa is referred to frequently in Tang Dynasty poetry, where it is often praised for its refinement and delicacy of tone. Bai Juyi's famous "Pipa Xing" (Pipa Song) describes a chance encounter with a female pipa player on the Yangtze River:

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:??????? : The bold strings rattled like splatters of sudden rain,

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:??????? : The fine strings hummed like lovers' whispers.

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:??????? : Chattering and pattering, pattering and chattering,

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:??????? : As pearls, large and small, on a jade plate fall.

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