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Sound of Gold and Jade

Another traditional instrument is chime stones, or "Bian Qing" in Chinese. It is a set of "7" -shaped stones on a rack, resembling the primitive stone furrow or hoe. A mallet is used to strike the stones producing a clear and melodious sound. In fact, the instrument originated from the furrow and hoe.

A total of 41 chime stones are found in Zeng Houyi's tomb. They hang in two rows on a rack with 16 pieces on each row. The other nine stones are used when needed. This set of chime stones can be orchestrated with chime bells at the same pitch or transfer to inflexion. Reproduced chime stones can cover three octaves and play multiple styles of music.

In Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), the chime stones were mainly used to play solemn music at celebrations for the emperor or ministers, or for grand palace feasts.


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