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26. Plum Blossom Tune
- Standard tuning: 5 6 1 2 3 5 6 |
梅花曲
Meihua Qu 1 |
The lyrics for this melody are not in Yuefu Shiji, and I have not been able yet to trace their origin. The poetry meter is irregular. In several parts of the melody they don't seem to align very well with the music, so adjustments had to be made for my transcription. These are usually in places where the right hand does a glissando, or where there is a repeat indicated in the fingering.
The melody is clearly related to the Meihua Sannong in Shen Qi Mi Pu, though there are also many differences. Both versions are recognizable as versions of the Meihua Sannong which is still one of the most popular melodies in the modern repertoire.
Original preface
Translation incomplete.
Music and Lyrics: Ten Titled Section (originally unnumbered)
- The setting follows the irregular syllabic structure of the lyrics
1. (Untitled)
Mount Xi is green, the moon bright over the clear waters (canglang);
the dew is damp, with plum branches and a fine mist.
The Daoist awakes and gets up ("qilai, qilai"),
combing, relaxing, washing, rinsing mouth
....(translation incomplete)
2. Sound of the jade flute
3. The moon revolves above the west tower
4. Light cloudes and belt pendants
5. Reading the Yi Jing by a plum tree
6. Sound of the jade flute
7. Wind shakes the willow flowers
8. Falling plums
9. Wanting to stop, but unable
10. Coda (harmonics)
Footnotes (Shorthand references are explained on a
separate page)