The reed pipe is a Chinese musical instrument consisting of six
tubes bound together and pierced ___1___
a transverse one. Six tubes of unequal lengths are inserted ___2___
two rows into a hollow wooden cylinder. ___3___
tube has a hole and is fitted with a reed and a resonator. The
reed pipe is an important part of life
___4___ minorities in
southwestern China. It is played ___5___
the New Year, at weddings and funerals, and at harvest
celebrations.
The Chinese ___6___
a number of legends about the reed pipe. One tells ___7___
a young man named Zhao Balianyang in Huishui country who lived
during the reign of the Song emperor Zhezong. One day a bird
flew into his house ___8___
trilled in six different tones. This became his inspiration and ___9___
much effort, he succeeded in fashioning the first reed pie ___10___
six keys capable of producing six different tones. |