How the bianqing makes its sound
In the Hornbostel–Sachs system, which classifies instruments by how they produce sound, the bianqing belongs to the struck idiophones: the body is struck directly – bells, gongs, xylophones and cymbals.
More broadly it is one of the idiophones, where the solid body of the instrument itself vibrates, without strings or a stretched membrane.
Its timbre – the colour that lets you tell it apart from other instruments playing the same note – comes from the mix of overtones its body and resonator emphasise.
From Wikipedia
The bianqing is a traditional Chinese percussion instrument consisting of a set of L-shaped flat stone chimes known as qing, played melodically. The chimes were hung in a wooden frame and struck with a mallet. Along with the bronze bells called bianzhong, they were an important instrument in China's ritual and court music going back to ancient times.
The instrument was imported to Vietnam (where it is called biên khánh), and Korea (where it is called pyeongyeong). In the 11th year of King Yejong of Goryeo (1116), it was imported from the Song Dynasty. It is still used in Korean court and ritual music.
Other struck idiophones
Frequently asked questions
What does a bianqing sound like?
As one of the struck idiophones, its sound comes from the way the body is struck directly.
What type of instrument is the bianqing?
It is classified as struck idiophones (Hornbostel–Sachs 111.22).
Sources & credits
- Wikidata Q1744337 – CC0
- Wikipedia: Bianqing – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Zhangmoon618 – CC BY-SA 3.0