SQMP ORP

Shen Qi Mi Pu Outline Research Proposal

My aim is to do research related to my Shen Qi Mi Pu Project, exploring areas in which my knowledge is deficient while learning better research techniques. Specifically, I would like to try to group the 65 melodies in Shen Qi Mi Pu in a way that would give some indication of their various styles. This would be done mainly through modal analysis and comparison of finger techniques.

Shen Qi Mi Pu, unlike many other early guqin handbooks, includes no commentary on mode or on finger technique. However, another early book has considerable information in this area, Taigu Yiyin, also known as Taiyin Daquanqi. There is evidence that Zhu Quan, compiler of the music in Shen Qi Mi Pu, edited one of these.

When I was first studying in Taiwan I translated (with the help of my teacher of classical Chinese) most of Taigu Yiyin. It has long been my plan eventually to finish this and publish it as a companion volume to my Shen Qi Mi Pu transcriptions. However, I am not an expert in classical Chinese, and so this translation would largely be the work of others.

Since the book's commentary mode and finger technique is in fact limited and often obscure, my work would be completing the assisted translation of Taigu Yiyin, and adding commentary and analysis first on what it says about mode and finger technique, then on what can be learned in addition through analysis of the music and the finger techniques in Shen Qi Mi Pu and other early guqin handbooks.

Return to the Shen Qi Mi Pu index or to the Guqin ToC.