Liu Tianhua's Contribution To The Development Of Folk Music

In recent years, our country pay more and more attention to the protection of traditional folk culture. In the protection projects of immaterial cultural heritage, China traditional music is an important one that can't lack. The so-called" protection" refers not only to save but also the inheritance, which is the best protection. In China history, an important turning point of traditional music was caused by the New Culture Movement. Attracted strongly by the western music cultures, China music underwent a long process in which it experienced collision﹑communication﹑combination﹑change and development. New music was presented just by the introduction of western music, which was absorbed and combined by the traditional music. In the reform of traditional music, there is no doubt that Liu Tianhua is an outstanding person.As an outstanding folk musician﹑educator, Liu Tianhua aspired to the reform of folk music. He worked on the ethnic music popularization and reform work persistently in his life. In addition to his historic contribution to the Art of Erhu, he also made outstanding achievements on China's modern Pipa art development. He was proficient in a variety of national musical instruments and western instruments. At the same time, he mastered the creation of the national musical instrument, integrating the western music performance skills into his creation . His works have not only the traditional music unique national flavor, but also the unique style of western music. His improvement in Erhu﹑Pipa and other national instruments and the innovation to the traditional notation are conducive to the inheritance and development of traditional music. He wanted to change Chinese music looks, creating"Our Generation's Art"through his own creation and struggle. Known as"the king of the plucked string music", Pipa has a wealth of musical skills and expressive force. Liu Tianhua improved the musical instruments, absorbed the advanced playing methods and applied them to the works. Around 1920s, he created" Song and Dance"﹑" Improved" and"Virtual Lai" 3 lute bends and 15 etudes, making the Pipa Art have new creation and many new elements in the new period. At the same time these works infused the distinct flavor of the times into the retention of Pipa's ancient characters. So the Pipa music creation and performance levels had been greatly improved. Seen from the work conception, structure of music or playing techniques used﹐the songs all had their outstanding characteristics. They played a connecting role in the Pipa music from traditional to modern transition and had a very far-reaching impact on the Pipa music creation. In the reform of traditional music, there is no doubt that Liu Tianhua is an outstanding person.In this paper the author overviews Liu Tianhua 's artistic achievements and analyses his three lute works in detail. The content﹑ thoughts and feelings expressed in his works showed Liu Tianhua's enthusiasm on the improving the national music , expectations of development of Chinese Orchestra and hopes for a bright future. Readers can master the creative skills, understand the rich connotation of creation, study the contribution of Liu Tianhua's to the folk music development comprehensively through his works. What's more, readers can also understand the turning of traditional music in the new period, and know what he did for protection and inheritance of traditional music as a musician. His works and innovative ideas promoted the development of the folk music in twentieth Century. Understand the development of Chinese traditional and make contribution to the development of folk music. By doing these, the fusion of folk music and world music can be promoted, and can push the folk music to the world.