Harmony of Heaven, Earth and Human: An Aesthetic Anthropological Analysis of the Guqin’s Timbres

Abstract

This article explores the three tonal qualities, open string tones, stopped string tones, and harmonics, in traditional Chinese Guqin music from the perspective of aesthetic anthropology, examining their multifaceted connotations in terms of instruments, the body, and culture. First, it elucidates the complexity of music as a form of human behavior, transcending the traditional framework of classical musicology by viewing musical practice as a cultural act. Second, it provides an in-depth analysis of the three tonal qualities in guqin performance, delving into the intricate relationships between playing techniques, hand gestures, and aesthetic philosophy. It highlights how the coordination of the right hand plucking the strings and the left hand pressing the strings produces distinct aesthetic effects in terms of volume, pitch range, and timbre, reflecting the individuality, cultural background, and habits of the performer. Finally, the article explores the harmony of sound and its connection to the harmony of heaven, earth, and humanity, shedding light on the spiritual significance of qin practice as a path of cultivation.