Plucked Instruments Performance Diploma

This is an advanced program designed to prepare plucked instrument players for professional performing careers through private instruction and intensive solo and ensemble performance experiences. A minimum residency of 8 courses (240 hours each) is required.

Course Outline:

Plucked Instruments 101 Traditional Guzheng Pieces & Performance - Northern Region
Plucked Instruments 102: Contemporary work
Plucked instrument 201: Traditional Pipa Pieces & Performance-Wenqu and wuqu
Plucked instruments 202: Traditional RuanPieces& Performance
Plucked instruments 301: Traditional Guzheng Pieces & Performance - Southern Region
Plucked Instruments302: Concerto I
Plucked instruments 401: contemporary work
Plucked instruments 402: Concerto II

Brief Course Description		Plucked instruments 101 focuses on the theory and basic skills of Northern Region Guzheng music. Through the teaching of the main repertoires: “Hanjiang Yun”, “High Mountain Flowing Water”, “Han Palace Autumn Moon”, “Xiangshan Drum Echos” to enhance students’ understanding of the theory and musical style of the Northern Region music, and to master the essential Guzheng performing skills.
Course Prerequisites		A score of 80% or higher at the level 9 of Guzheng examination from the China Central Conservatory of Music and passed the entrance examination from YC Music Academy.
Learning Objectives		Develop good tone quality and intonation by understanding hand posture, force applied and sounding point; and capable to play with different dynamic levels. Understand and master Guzhengfingerings and articulations used in the Northern Region musical styles. Including both hands’ force control, tone quality control, left hand pressing, portamento, and tone processing of high notes. Master pitch accuracy. Capable to read and understand notations in Northern Region musical styles. Understand and be able to distinguish between the musical styles of the three main areas in the Northern Region (Shanxi area, Henan area, and Shandong area). Capable to play “Hanjiang Yun”, “High Mountain Flowing Water”, “Han Palace Autumn Moon”, “Xiangshan Drum Echos” at professional level fulfilling all requirements from music as well as instructions from the Guzheng instructors of our academy.
Required course materials		The sheet music for “Hanjiang Yun”, “High Mountain Flowing Water”, “Han Palace Autumn Moon”, “Xiangshan Drum Echos” and handouts provided by the Academy.
Course Duration		40 hours


Teaching Methods Method(s) of Student Evaluation		Lectures and hands on demonstration (one to one basis) Assignments (40%) Final performance (to perform 2 assigned pieces 60%)

Completion Requirements	A score of 70% or higher from the evaluation

Brief Course Description		Plucked instruments 102 focuses on the study and performance of contemporary works. Through the study of the main repertoires: “Fishing Boat In the Evening”, “Moonlit River In Spring”, “Spring to Xiangjiang”, “Eight Scenes of Chang’an”, “Fantasia”，“The south of cloud”，students will be introduced to modern composers, the notation of modern works, and the style of play. Furthermore, understanding the cooperative relationships between various parts.
Course Prerequisites		Plucked instruments 101 with a score of 70% or higher.
Learning Objectives		Develop good tone quality and intonation by understanding hand posture, force applied and sounding point; and capable to play with different dynamic levels. Reinforcing basic fingerings and techniques, and be able to apply and integrate into difference pieces. Understand and able to cooperate with various parts in chamber music without the presence of a conductor. Master pitch accuracy. Capable to read and understand modern music notations. Understand and able to express interpretation and phrasing of the pieces via performance. Develop mature musicianship and showmanship.
Required course materials		The sheet music for“Fishing Boat In the Evening”, “Moonlit River In Spring”, “Spring to Xiangjiang”, “Eight Scenes of Chang’an”, “Fantasia”，“The south of cloud” and handouts provided by the Academy.
Course Duration		40 hours

Teaching Methods Method(s) of Student Evaluation		Lectures and hands on demonstration (one to one basis) Assignments (40%) Final performance (to perform 2 assigned pieces 60%)

Completion Requirements	A score of 70% or higher from the evaluation

Brief Course Description

Plucked instruments 201 focuses on Wenqu and Wuqu. Wenqu is characterized by lyricism and freehand brushwork in its musical style. Lyricism is to focus on the in-depth exploration and expression of inner thoughts and feelings; freehandism is to be good at using general techniques to show profound artistic conception, and make people melt into the artistic realm of music immersive. In the traditional Pipa Wenqu, some music focuses on the depiction of the scenery, such as “Xunyang Moon Night” and “Flying Flower Diancui”; some music mainly focuses on the expression of the characters’ inner feelings, such as “Song Song”; there are also scenes written It also writes about people’s inner feelings and scenes, such as “QinglianYuefu”. Wenqu refers to the use of vivid musical language to express a certain storyline, grandeur, and relatively large structure. Such as: “Ambush on Ten Sides”, “Overlord’s Removal of Armor”, “Haiqing Takes the Swan”, “General Order of Han”, “General Order of Manchuria”, “Navy Exercise” and so on. PipaWuqu is characterized by narrative and realism in its musical style. Narrative means that Wuqu often adopts the same method as chapter novels or continuous narratives of dramas and scenes to show certain plots. Realism means that martial arts are more important than objects, and they often use the methods of drawing shadows and sounds, and having a knot to narrate dramatic content. Such as ” Haiqing Takes the Swan” and “Ambush on Ten Sides”, these pieces of music are vivid and colorful in the depiction of the image, and the ups and downs are distinct, often leaving a vivid and deep impression.

Course Prerequisites		A score of 70% or higher at Plucked instruments 102 examination.
Learning Objectives		Develop good tone quality and intonation by understanding hand posture, force applied and sounding point; and capable to play with different dynamic levels. Understand and master Pipa fingerings and articulations used in the Wenqu and Wuqu musical styles. Including both hands’ force control, tone quality control, left hand pressing, portamento, and tone processing of high notes. Master pitch accuracy. Capable to read and understand notations in Wenqu and Wuqu musical styles. Capable to play the following pieces: “saishangqu”, “Pingshaluoyan” “qinglianyue fu” ,“xun yang moon night”, “chensuiguyin”, “Moon on High”,”Ambush on Ten Sides”, “Overlord’s Removal of Armor”, “Haiqing Takes the Swan”, “General Order of Han”, “General Order of Manchuria” and “Navy Exercise” at professional level fulfilling all requirements from music as well as instructions from the Pipa instructors of our academy.
Required course materials		The sheet music for “saishangqu”, “Pingshaluoyan”, “qinglianyue fu”, “xun yang moon night”, “chensuiguyin”, “Moon on High””Ambush on Ten Sides”, “Overlord’s Removal of Armor”, “Haiqing Takes the Swan”, “General Order of Han”, “General Order of Manchuria”, “Navy Exercise” and handouts will be provided by the Academy.
Course Duration		40 hours


Teaching Methods Method(s) of Student Evaluation		Lectures and hands on demonstration (one to one basis) Assignments (40%) Final performance (to perform 2 assigned pieces 60%)

Completion Requirements	A score of 70% or higher from the evaluation

BriefCoursedescription Course Prerequisites		Plucked instruments 202 focuses mainly on Ruan traditional works and local style works. Main practice: left finger sequence exercise，Fixed hand exercises，Quick change exercise，Glide Skills Practice，Left hand flexing exercise Chord playing practice，B key position practice，F key tuning finger exercises，F key skipping practice，Pentatonic practice，Right hand short wheel exercise，Right hand long wheel exercise，Taste Portamento Practice，Same grade portamento practice，Comprehensive Practice of Glide，Playing, hitting, and vocal exercises Finger vibrato practice，Decorative tone practice，Quick practice for two or three positions，Semitone same finger shift practice.
		Score 70% or higher in Plucked instruments 201
Learning Objectives		Develop good tone quality and intonation by understanding hand posture, force applied and sounding point; and capable to play with different dynamic levels. Understand and master Ruan fingerings and articulations used in the local musical styles. Including both hands’ force control, tone quality control, left hand pressing, portamento, and tone processing of high notes. Master pitch accuracy. Capable to read and understand notations Capable to play for “Xiaowu”, “Drumming and Xianglong”, “Lhasa Dance”, “Moonlight”, “Mountain Sheep”, “Water Lotus”, “Jiangnan Spring”, “Flower Meeting”, “Stone Forest Nocturne”, “Drunk under Flower”, “Folk Song”, “Zhongnan Ancient Rhyme” “Remote Singing”, “Stone Rhyme”, “Legend of Cuihua Mountain”, “Dream of the East”, “Night of the Torch Festival”, “Silk Road Camel Bell”, “Songfenghan”, and “Looking at Qinchuan” at professional level fulfilling all requirements from music as well as instructions from the Pipa instructors of our academy.
Required course materials		The sheet music for “Xiaowu”, “Drumming and Xianglong”, “Lhasa Dance”, “Moonlight”, “Mountain Sheep”, “Water Lotus”, “Jiangnan Spring”, “Flower Meeting”, “Stone Forest Nocturne”, “Drunk under Flower”, “Folk Song”, “Zhongnan Ancient Rhyme” “Remote Singing”, “Stone Rhyme”, “Legend of Cuihua Mountain”, “Dream of the East”, “Night of the Torch Festival”, “Silk Road Camel Bell”, “Songfenghan”, “Looking at Qinchuan” and handouts provided by the Academy.
Course Duration		40 hours


Teaching Methods Method(s) of Student Evaluation		Lectures and hands on demonstration (one to one basis) Assignments (40%) Final performance (to perform 2 assigned pieces 60%)

Completion Requirements	A score of 70% or higher from the evaluation

Brief Course Description		Plucked instruments 301 focuses on the theory and basic skills of Southern Region Guzheng musics. Through the teaching of the main repertoires: “Yueer Gao”, “Water Lotus”, “Hanya Xishui” to enhance students’ understanding of the theory and musical style of the Southern Region music, and to master the essential Guzheng performing skills.
Course Prerequisites		A score of 70% or higher at Plucked instrument 202 examination .
Learning Objectives		Develop good tone quality and intonation by understanding hand posture, force applied and sounding point; and capable to play with different dynamic levels. Understand and master Guzheng fingerings and articulations used in the Southern Region musical styles. Including both hands’ force control, tone quality control, left hand pressing, portamento, and tone processing of high notes. Master pitch accuracy. Capable to read and understand notations in Southern Region musical styles. Understand and be able to distinguish between the musical styles of the three main areas in the Southern Region (Chaozhou area, Zhejiang area, and Kejia area). Capable to play “Yueer Gao”, “Water Lotus”, “Hanya Xishui” at professional level fulfilling all requirements from music as well as instructions from the Guzheng instructors of our academy.
Required course materials		The sheet music for “Yueer Gao”, “Water Lotus”, “Hanya Xishui” and handouts provided by the Academy.
Course Duration		40 hours


Teaching Methods Method(s) of Student Evaluation		Lectures and hands on demonstration (one to one basis) Assignments (40%) Final performance (to perform 2 assigned pieces 60%)

Completion Requirements	A score of 70% or higher from the evaluation

Brief Course Description		Pluck instruments 302 focuses on the study and performance of concertos. Through the study of the main repertoires: “Lin’an Resentment”, “Night Mooring By Maple Bridge”, “Yunshangsu”, students will be introduced to framework of concertos and the style of play. Furthermore, understanding the cooperation of Guzheng with piano and orchestra.
Course Prerequisites		Plucked instrument 301 with a score of 70% or higher.
Learning Objectives		Develop good tone quality and intonation by understanding hand posture, force applied and sounding point; and capable to play with different dynamic levels. Reinforcing basic fingerings and techniques, and be able to apply and integrate into difference pieces. Understand the structure of the pieces and able to cooperate with piano (without presence of conductor) and orchestra (with presence of conductor). Master pitch accuracy. Capable to read and understand modern music notations. Understand and able to express interpretation and phrasing of the pieces via performance. Develop mature musicianship and showmanship.
Required course materials		The sheet music for “Lin’an Resentment”, “Night Mooring By Maple Bridge”, “Yunshangsu” and handouts provided by the Academy.
Course Duration		40 hours

Teaching Methods Method(s) of Student Evaluation		Lectures and hands on demonstration (one to one basis) Assignments (40%) Final performance (to perform 2 assigned pieces 60%)

Completion Requirements	A score of 70% or higher from the evaluation

Brief Course Description		Plucked instruments 401 focuses on the study and performance of chamber music and contemporary works. Through the study of the main repertoires: “Moonlit River In Spring”, “Dragonboat”, “Dance of the Yi Nationality”,“Huan Qin”, “Old Boy”, “The Five Warriors of Langya Mountain”, “Spring Silkworm”, “Swan”, “Tianchi””Under the Grape Shelves”, “Express Your Feelings on the Grassland”, “You Taishan””Gufang Appreciation”, “Thinking of Love”, “Man Jiang Hong””Wind Shakes Bamboo”, “Improvisation”, “Caprice” “Fang Fang Yuan” students will be introduced to modern composers, the notation of modern works, and the style of play. Furthermore, understanding the cooperative relationships between various parts.
Course Prerequisites		Plucked instruments 302 with a score of 70% or higher.
Learning Objectives		Develop good tone quality and intonation by understanding hand posture, force applied and sounding point; and capable to play with different dynamic levels. Reinforcing basic fingerings and techniques, and be able to apply and integrate into difference pieces. Understand and able to cooperate with various parts in chamber music without the presence of a conductor. Master pitch accuracy. Correctly interpret the innovation and complexity of pitch, rhythm and timbre of modern works Understand and able to express interpretation and phrasing of the pieces via performance. Develop mature musicianship and showmanship.
Required course materials		The sheet music for: “Moonlit River In Spring”, “Dragonboat”, “Dance of the Yi Nationality”“Huan Qin”, “Old Boy”, “The Five Warriors of Langya Mountain”, “Spring Silkworm”, “Swan”, “Tianchi””Under the Grape Shelves”, “Express Your Feelings on the Grassland”, “You Taishan””Gufang Appreciation”, “Thinking of Love”, “Man Jiang Hong””Wind Shakes Bamboo”, “Improvisation”, “Caprice” “Fang FangYuan”and handouts are all provided by the Academy.
Course Duration		40 hours

Teaching Methods Method(s) of Student Evaluation		Lectures and hands on demonstration (one to one basis) Assignments (40%) Final performance (to perform 2 assigned pieces 60%)

Completion Requirements	A score of 70% or higher from the evaluation

Brief Course Description		Plucked instruments 402 focuses on the study and performance of concertos. Through the study of the main repertoires: “Mulan”, “Yun Xianghua”, “Blessing”, “Little Sisters on the Prairie”, “Lin an’s Last Hate”,”Han Pipa Love”, “Mountain Rhyme”, “Reminiscences of Yunnan”, “Earth Acura”, “A Sage in the Bamboo Grove”, “Loulan Dream”, “Porcelain”, “The Second Zhongruan Concerto”students will be introduced to framework of concertos and the style of play. Furthermore, understanding the cooperation of Pipa and Ruan with piano or orchestra.
Course Prerequisites		Plucked instruments 401 with a score of 70% or higher.
Learning Objectives		Develop good tone quality and intonation by understanding hand posture, force applied and sounding point; and capable to play with different dynamic levels. Reinforcing basic fingerings and techniques, and be able to apply and integrate into difference pieces. Understand the structure of the pieces and able to cooperate with piano (without presence of conductor) or orchestra (with presence of conductor). Master pitch accuracy. Capable to read and understand modern music notations. Understand and able to express interpretation and phrasing of the pieces via performance. Develop mature musicianship and showmanship.
Required course materials		The sheet music for”Mulan”, “Yun Xianghua”, “Blessing”, “Little Sisters on the Prairie”, “Lin an’s Last Hate”, “Han Pipa Love”, “Mountain Rhyme”, “Reminiscences of Yunnan”, “Earth Acura”, “A Sage in the Bamboo Grove”, “Loulan Dream”, “Porcelain”, “The Second Zhongruan Concerto”and handouts provided by the Academy.
Course Duration		40 hours

Teaching Methods Method(s) of Student Evaluation		Lectures and hands on demonstration (one to one basis) Assignments (40%) Final performance (to perform 2 assigned pieces 60%)

Completion Requirements	A score of 70% or higher from the evaluation