The Vocal Characteristics And Singing Style Of Chenxi Chashan, Hunan

Originated from Ming and Qing dynasties, tea mountain work song spreads mainly in Yao ethnic group in Chenxi, Hunan Province, which has a history more than 400 years till now. In 2008, it was listed in China's Intangible Cultural Heritage representative protection list. When Yao people turn up the soil in tea mountain in autumn, the unique tea mountain work songs are composed as ballads to relive the fatigue, inspire the spirits, cheer up the working enthusiasm and synchronize movements. In 1850s of last century, the top singer had given performances of Shu Heiwa of western Human work songs in Changsha, Beijing and even Zhongnanhai with his unique singing voice and accents, and he gained highly praise from national leaders and experts.The famous singer He Jiguang had taken Shu as his teacher to learn the unique voicing method of tea mountain work songs, which added more charms to his artistic career. The two works Carrying Tea to Beijing and Dongting,Land of Fish and Rice sung by He Jiguang all employs the unique musical elements and vocal methods in tea mountain work song.Tea mountain work song has unique vocal skills and high voice, and its basic register can reach up to e3-g3, which possesses strong penetrating power and appeal as well as distinctive artistic charm. In the tea mountain work song, the vocal methods and singing styles are the most unique factors, which are also the most difficult to learn and inherit, especially for the frequent and flexible shift between bass and treble as well as the bright,mellow and loosen high pitch.It makes many people daunted at the learning process. Tea mountain work song is metaphorized to be a miracle among musical art by many artistic and culture workers, and actually it is indeed a living fossil in Chinese national vocal music worthy learning and reference.