Boya Diao Ziqi

30. Boya Mourns Ziqi
- Standard tuning: 5 6 1 2 3 5 6 played as 1 2 4 5 6 1 2

伯牙吊子期
Boya Diao Ziqi 1

In Taigu Yiyin and Fengxuan Xuanpin (1539) this is a short, simple melody. My preference for the version in Xilutang Qintong (1549) caused me to break my rule of always learning the earliest published version of a melody.

For further commentary on this story see the Boya Diao Ziqi in Xilutang Qintong (1549). For other melodies connected to Boya see the preceding melody in the present handbook, Ting Qin Fu. The most famous melodies associated with him are Gao Shan and Liu Shui, both of them included in Shen Qi Mi Pu.

Original preface

Translation incomplete.

Music and Lyrics: One section
A largely syllabic setting, following the irregular pattern of the lyrics, which go 5+5, 5+7, 7, 7+7, 7+7, 5+6 (last 6 are harmonics).

Long recall last year in spring,
along the river I met a gentleman.
Now when I come to the river's edge,
I don't see the zhiyin....(translation incomplete)

Footnotes (Shorthand references are explained on a separate page)

1 (Return)

2 (Return)