A musical instrument composed of multiple cymbals - the cymbal

346 views · Organized by 九曲 on 2022-02-15

Nao [náo], also known as zheng and bell, is one of the earliest percussion instruments used in China, popular from the late Shang Dynasty to the early Western Zhou Dynasty. According to historical records, nao was used to stop drumming when the army was retreating. "Zhou Li" said that "golden cymbals stop drums", which is an instrument used in the army to direct the advance and retreat.

A musical instrument composed of multiple cymbals - the cymbal

This type of bronze ware, called "big cymbals", is taller and heavier than ordinary cymbals. Most of them were unearthed in the southern region and were mainly used in military and sacrificial activities. Judging from the unearthed conditions of the tombs, it seems that the nao can also be used in conjunction with other musical instruments to be used for feasts or sacrifices. In the late Shang Dynasty, there were three cymbals in a group, which could play simple music and were used as ritual instruments for grand ceremonies. During the Western Zhou Dynasty, there were as many as eight chimes hanging on the rack, which were struck by one person.

A musical instrument composed of multiple cymbals - the cymbal

There are two completely different shapes of nao in ancient China, which are actually different weapons with the same name. The cymbal in the braided cymbal is a type of bell-like musical instrument. The earliest real object was found in a bronze cymbal with a good face pattern unearthed in Ningxiang, Hunan.
There are single pieces of cymbals, which are arranged in groups and are called braided cymbals. In the tombs of the Shang Dynasty at Yin Ruins, there were once unearthed three groups of cymbals of different sizes, but they could not play complete music.

A musical instrument composed of multiple cymbals - the cymbal

Over time, this phenomenon has changed. In 1993, a group of weaving cymbals was unearthed in Shigu Village, Fengmuqiao Township, Ningxiang County, Hunan Province. There are 9 pieces in total. Braided cymbals with a large size and a large number of pieces like this are extremely rare.

Reference materials and contributors
编铙(百度百科)
铙(中国古代乐器百图)

Involving musical instruments

Da Nao (Pinyin: Dà náo) is an ancient Chinese bronze percussion instrument with a huge shape. A large cymbal in the late Shang Dynasty was unearthed in Hunan, with a height of 103.5 centimeters and a weight of more than 200 kilograms. When it reaches the trapezoid shape, the body has a large animal face pattern, and a handle is placed under the body.
Nao (pinyin: náo), also known as the bell, is one of the bronze percussion instruments used in ancient China. Used in the military, the function is to give instructions to stop drumming. It was popular in the late Shang Dynasty and was used in the early Zhou Dynasty. It is a round copper musical instrument that is often played with cymbals.

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