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Grand Songs of the Dong Ethnic Minority
The songs may be solo or chorus, with the latter featuring multiple voice
parts: alt, mediant, and bass or only alt and bass. Bass is the main part,
which, while performing, lasts for a long time, lingering like the loquacious
murmuring of a brook. The alt is free to express itself, imitating hundreds of
birds twittering at the same time. Harmonious and prefect, grand songs have
graceful melody and free rhythm, quick or slow. Sometimes, they are calm and
fluent, full of sentiments, sometimes smart and bold, full of grand might, and
at other times sweetly and clearly broad, echoing and attractive.
Singing masters of the Dong
songs
The Dong people treasures their grand songs very much, believing that songs
are knowledge and that the one capable of singing a great many songs is
knowledgeable. In the areas when the Dongs live, singing masters are hailed as
the most intelligent and sensible, and hence are highly respected by the local
people. As the most important part of the Dong songs, the graceful and plain
grand songs truthfully represent the Dong people's love for life, nature, and
their hometown, and vividly portrait the ethnic group's character: honesty,
warm-heartedness, sincerity, and passion.
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