Since the lyrics seem to be connected to a those of a poem by Li He about the 9th month, the association with huangzhong thus remains unclear. On the other hand, the mode that is actually associated with the 9th month is wuyi (again see chart; wuyi is also the name of the 10th bell), and the wuyi tuning is usually considered to be the same as that of huangzhong. Does this have some relevance here?

Although the author or title of the lyrics for Huangzhong Diao are not identified in Taigu Yiyin they are, as just suggested, virtually identical to the poem Ninth Month by Li He, one of his 13 Songs of the Twelve Months. All 13 poems are included in Yuefu Shiji at the end of Chapter 82.⁴

The main tonal center is the open first string (do); secondary tonal center is the open fourth string (sol). However, the closing note is do and fa together. Many melodies have unexpected closing notes. Perhaps further research might explain why, as well as provide answers to the other questions.

 
Original preface ⁵

None.

 
Music ⁶
One Section with lyrics throughout. The setting follows the syllabic structure ([7+7] x 4) of the lyrics

 
Footnotes (Shorthand references are explained on a separate page)

1. Huangzhong Diao 黃鐘調 (QQJC I/283)
48904.1330 xxx.
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2. Tuning and Mode
Shenpin Wuyi Yi has comment on huangzhong and wuyi modes, but the melody here uses standard tuning and the main tonal center is do, secondarily sol, mostly pentatonic but with a few added fa and flatted ti.
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3. Image
No appropriate image yet found.
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4. 九月 Ninth Month by 李賀 Li He
Yuefu Shiji, Chapter 82, calls the set 十二月樂辭十三首 13 Songs of the 12 Months, adding that the full title was 河南府試十二月樂辭並閏月 13 Songs of the Twelve Months plus the Intercalary Month (Poems Written for the Henan Provincial Examinations). The differences in the present version are noted below. (Return)

5. NFI
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6. Original lyrics
The lyrics in Chinese are as follows:

Here is the poem by Li He as found in YFSJ:

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