Shenpin Chushang Yi

55. Celestial Air Defining Shang Mode of Chu
- same as qiliang mode: tighten 2nd/5th strings: 2 4 5 6 1 2 3

神品楚商意
Shenpin Chu Shang Yi¹

For more information see Modality in Early Ming Qin Tablature, including modal preludes.²

See also the previous item, #54 Shenpin Qiliang Yi. The modal preludes are different but, other than with the supposedly more ancient melody Huaxu Yin, there are no obvious modal differences between pieces in these two modes. And as is made clear below, the music of the two preludes could be used interchangeably.

The only piece directly ascribed to this mode title is #61 Chu Ge, though for some reason (or no reason) it was put at the end of the pieces in shangjue mode.

As can be seen in this tracing chart combining versions of qiliang and chushang modal preludes, after 1425 a modal prelude called Shenpin Chushang Yi appears later by name only in 1670, which copies the version here. However, beginning with Wugang Qinpu (1546), versions of this Chushang melody are repeated under the qiliang title (see, e.g., Qiliang Yi Kao).

Original preface
None ³

Music
Timings follow the recording on my CD; 聽錄音 listen with my transcription, which is preceded by the transcription for Shenqin Qiliang Yi.
One Section

(00.49) -- harmonics
(01.00) -- Modal prelude ends

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

Footnotes (Shorthand references are explained on a separate page)

1. 神品楚商意 Shenpin Chu Shang Yi references
楚商 15473.xxx
(Return)

3. Although SQMP modal preludes have no prefaces, those in Zheyin (which all have identical music) do. However, Zheyin does not include a separate preface to the Chu shang modal prelude. (Return)

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