Classmate, let me tell you the answer.
Chimes are a kind of percussion instrument in ancient my country. They are made of bronze. They are composed of oblate bells of different sizes arranged in order of pitch and hung on a huge bell frame with a T-shaped bell. The wooden hammer and the long stick are used to strike the copper bells separately, which can produce different musical tones. Because each bell has a different tone, if the bells are struck according to the music score, beautiful music can be played.
According to documentary records and unearthed cultural relics, it was found that my country had chimes in the Western Zhou Dynasty. The chimes at that time were usually composed of three large and small bells. The number of bells gradually increased from the late Spring and Autumn Period to the Warring States Period, including groups of 9 bells and groups of 13 bells, etc... In 1978, a tomb of Marquis Zeng Yi from the Warring States Period (about 433 BC) was found in Suizhou, Hubei The unearthed chimes are the most eye-catching set of chimes discovered so far. This set of chimes is large enough to occupy the entire stage of a modern concert hall. The chime bells in the tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng are composed of 19 button bells, 45 Yong bells, and a total of 65 pieces of Dafu bells given by King Hui of Chu. These clocks are hung on the bell stand in 8 groups on 3 levels. The 3 groups hanging directly on the upper level are called button bells, and the 5 groups hanging diagonally on the middle and lower levels are called Yong bells. The smallest button bell is 20.4 cm high and has a mass of 2.4 kilograms, which can play a role in setting the tone during performance. The largest bass bell is 153.4 centimeters high and has a mass of 203.6 kilograms. The total mass of the complete set of chimes is more than 2500 kilograms. The bell frame is made of copper and wood. Its shape is in the shape of a right-angled ruler (such as ┏), with a total length of more than 10 meters, three floors up and down, and a height of 273 meters. It is supported by 6 bronze warriors with swords and several columns. The whole set of chimes and beams is magnificent and spectacular. During the performance, the band consists of several people, using 6 T-shaped wooden hammers to hit the high and middle notes, and two long sticks to hit the bass. According to research by acoustic experts, each bell in the chime can emit two different tones. As long as the marked position on the bell is struck accurately, it can emit tones that match a certain frequency. The entire set of chimes can play the sounds on a modern piano. All black and white key sounds. The tuning frequency of this set of chimes is 256.4 Hz, which is almost exactly the same frequency as the middle "C" on the current piano.
Zeng Hou Yi’s chimes are made of copper, tin, and aluminum alloys. The whole set of chimes is decorated with human, animal, dragon and other patterns. It is exquisitely cast, with detailed and clear patterns, and is engraved with gold inscriptions. Marking the pronunciation tones of each bell, it is an actual object from 433 BC. It can be seen that it was as far back as more than 2,400 years ago. Our country's music culture and casting technology have developed to a very high level, and it is nearly 2,000 years earlier than the emergence of the twelve-well-tempered keyboard instrument in Europe.
As early as the Shang Dynasty 3,500 years ago, China had chimes, but at that time the chimes were mostly in sets of three. Later, with the development of the times, the number of chimes in each set also continued to increase. In ancient times, chimes were mostly used for court performances and were rarely spread among the people. Chime bells were played during battles, court meetings, sacrifices and other activities.
In ancient China, chimes were musical instruments exclusively used by the upper class and were a symbol of rank and power. In modern times, many ancient chimes have been unearthed from the tombs of ancient princes and nobles in Yunnan, Shanxi, Hubei and other places in China. The most eye-catching one is the chime bell discovered in the tomb of Zeng Hou Yi in Suixian County, Hubei Province. This set of chimes has exquisite craftsmanship, a range of up to five octaves, and a scale structure close to the modern C major heptatonic scale. In addition, the chimes are also marked with more than 2,800 words of inscriptions related to music rhythm, recording many musical terms, showing the advanced level of ancient Chinese music culture. The Chime Bells of Marquis Yi of Zeng are the chime bells with the largest number, the largest scale, and the best preservation unearthed in China. It is known as a miracle in the history of human culture. The chime music is crisp, bright, melodious, and can play a singing-like melody, so it is also known as the singing bell.
The music "Chu Shang" was played with the chimes of Zeng Houyi. The music expresses the grief and anger of the ancient Chinese poet Qu Yuan when he was exiled.
Chime Bells of the Western Zhou Dynasty
On August 25, 1985, a chime bell from the Western Zhou Dynasty was unearthed in Yangjiacun. This large chime has a total weight of 340 kilograms. It is a rare cultural relic found in the archaeological discoveries of the Western Zhou Dynasty.
There are 4 sets of this musical instrument. They were cast at different times. They may be the product of several generations of the same family. It will be of great help to our study of the evolution of "bells" and "clocks" in the Western Zhou Dynasty. Judging from the uses of the utensils, there are some that are used in groups and some that are used individually.
From the perspective of "", not many physical objects were unearthed in the past, "Ke" was handed down, and the "Four Tigers" were collected in the Shanghai Museum, but they all appeared individually. Yangjiacun "Compilation" is a relic of the late Western Zhou Dynasty and is the earliest and most complete set of known information. In addition, judging from the inscription on the "bell", it provides precious physical information for the study of social history and official system of the Western Zhou Dynasty. It also fully proves that chime bells are worthy of being the first of all music in ancient my country. The dignified "sound of gold and stone" vividly reproduces the ancient civilization of the Chinese nation, fully demonstrates the great creativity of our ancestors, and is eye-opening and amazing!
The chime bell ancient musical instrument, known as a "national treasure", has been unearthed many times in our province since 1954. "Book of Sui·Music Chronicles" records: "Each chime bell corresponds to the rhythm of Lu, and the size is in order, and they are compiled and hung." The wooden frame for the hanging was called "(xuān)" in the Western Zhou Dynasty, and it was in the shape of a "moon". When played with a small mallet, the sound is pure, the melody is elegant, the range is wide, and the expression is rich. The treble is high-spirited and earth-shattering; the bass is rich and majestic. When played, eight notes sound in unison, and the ancient music has a beautiful charm.
Chime bells were the main harmonic instruments used for sacrifices, court appointments, banquets, and singing during the Western Zhou Dynasty. They were especially suitable for accompaniment and were full of the unique style of ancient Chinese music. In the Western Zhou Dynasty, this ritual and music system was used to determine positions and levels. Chime bells are a symbol of the power of princes and nobles.
The chimes of the Western Zhou Dynasty have a history of at least 3,000 years. At that time, most areas on the earth were still deserted. Although there were people in some places, they lived a primitive life of "eating hair and drinking blood." At that time, our ancestors here not only transcended the era of drilling wood to make fire, but also reached an advanced period of being able to use fire to smelt bronze and cast chimes. It was the crystallization of the highly developed scientific culture of ancient China.
As for the question you mentioned, it is really child's play for us ancients. Isn't the Great Wall awesome? All built.