Over three thousand years ago the Chinese had about seventy types of musical instruments, they believe that music can purify the mind. Large instruments like the bronze chimes gave way to wind and reed instruments. The Tang dynasty was the golden age for musical development.
The Xun is one of the oldest musical instruments in China, a globular flute like instrument, it was first made from baked clay or bone, it is egg shaped, with at least three finger holes in the front and two thumb holes in the back, it has a blow hole on top. It comes in different sizes and is at least seven thousands years old.
Below I will list a few other highly collectable instruments, as well as some cocktails, using V.I.P Jiu 8, syrup and clear fruit flavoured water. Very simple, and tasty, hopefully as melodious as the instruments we are about to learn about.
For the cocktails I will use the hurricane glass, but you can use any one that is handy. So sit back and enjoy. As we learn a little about antique Chinese musical instruments.
Guzheng
The Guzheng originated in China during the warring states period (475-221B.C.) over 2500 years ago. The early versions were constructed with a bamboo frame and had silk strings, it was a zither type instrument with 13 strings which were plucked. The guzheng has undergone many changes throughout its long history.
Moon Night Baijiu Cocktail
25ml of V.I.P Jiu 8
1 teaspoon of green mint syrup
225ml of orange and peach clear still water
3 ice cubesPut V.I.P Jiu 8, coconut syrup and ice cubes into a hurricane glass and top with orange and peach still water, stir and enjoy.
Erhu
The Erhu is a two stringed instrument also known as the Chinese fiddle. It dates back to the Tang dynasty over one thousand years ago. It is a bowed string instrument of the huqin family of instruments. It has a drum like body with the front opening covered in skin and the back left open, the body amplifies the vibrations of the strings.
Flickering Red Baijiu Cocktail
25ml of V.I.P Jiu 8
1 teaspoon of grenadine
225ml of mango and passion fruit clear sparkling water
3 ice cubesPut V.I.P Jiu 8, grenadine and the ice cubes into glass. Top with mango and passion fruit sparkling water, stir and enjoy.
Dizi
The Dizi is a traditional Chinese flute made of bamboo, the body has six finger holes, one blow hole and an extra one between them covered by a thin membrane of reed. It is played horizontally, like the western flute. It is so popular, for it is very easily made and quite easy to play. It became popular as early as the warring states period (475 – 221 B.C.)
During the late Ming (1368 – 1644) and early Qing (1644 – 1911) it was adopted as an accompanying instrument for stage dramas.
Joyous Meeting Baijiu Cocktail
25ml of V.I.P Jiu 8
1 teaspoon of green mint syrup
225ml of lemon and lime clear still water
3 ice cubesPut V.I.P Jiu 8, green mint syrup and ice cubes into a glass, top with lemon and lime clear still water, stir and enjoy.
Big Drum
Historically Chinese drums have been used in both celebrations and in war. The earliest known drums date back to the Shang dynasty of nearly 4ooo years ago (c. 1600 – 1100 B.C.). They were made of clay and alligator skin. Most drums are usually a stretched hide over a hollowed vessel and are often red in colour. The red being associated luck and power. The Zhangu or war drum needs two men, one man carries the drum on his back, the other follows behind playing the drum while the army is on the march. Drums were also used to chase away evil spirits as well as for entertainment.
Autumn Festival Baijiu Cocktail
25ml of V.I.P Jiu 8
1 teaspoon of black forest syrup
225ml of clear cherry flavoured sparkling water
3 ice cubesPut V.I.P Jiu 8, black forest syrup and ice cubes into a glass and top with cherry flavoured sparkling clear water, stir and enjoy.
Xiao
The Xiao is a Chinese flute which is played in the vertical position, it is an end blown flute and is usually made from bamboo root. It is believed that the earliest Xiao came from south-west China during the Han dynasty (206 B.C. – 220 A. D. ). Then it was called Qiangdi. It has one of the most soothing sounds amongst flutes.
Angels Trail Baijiu Cocktail
25ml of V.I.P Jiu 8
1 teaspoon of blue curacao syrup
225ml of clear strawberry flavoured still water
3 ice cubesPut V.I.P Jiu 8, blue curacao syrup and ice cubes into a glass and top with strawberry flavoured still water, stir and enjoy.
Pipa
The Pipa also known as a Chinese guitar or lute, is a 4 stringed musical instrument. It has 16 frets and a pear shaped body. The musician holds it upright. The history of the Pipa goes back at least 2000 years. The earliest written text about the instrument dates to the second century B.C. But it originally came from central Asia.
Silk Strings Baijiu Cocktail
25ml of V.I.P Jiu 8
1 teaspoon of cinnamon syrup
225ml of watermelon clear flavoured sparkling water
3 ice cubesPut V.I.P Jiu 8, cinnamon syrup and ice cubes into s glass and top with clear watermelon flavoured sparkling water, stir and enjoy.
Sheng
The Sheng is a mouth-blown free reed instrument and usually has 17 bamboo pipes set in a small wind-chest, into which the musician blows through a mouthpiece. Each pipe has a free reed that vibrates to produce sounds, The pipes which are in five different lengths, are arranged in two triangular shapes to symbolize the folded wings of the phoenix. Its history goes back to 1100 B.C.
Glissandi Baijiu Cocktail
25ml of V.I.P Jiu 8
1 teaspoon of caramel syrup
225ml of green apple flavoured clear still water
3 ice cubesPut V.I.P Jiu 8, caramel syrup and ice cubes into a glass and top with clear green apple flavoured still water, stir and enjoy.
Guqin
The Guqin is a plucked seven stringed zither type instrument, favoured by scholars as an instrument to elevate the spirit and is regarded as the “instrument of sages” it is mentioned in Chines writings dating back 3000 years. The exact origins of the guqin are a subject of much debate.
Plumb Blossom Baijiu Cocktail
25ml of V.I.P Jiu 8
1 teaspoon of passion fruit syrup
225ml of orange and mango flavoured clear sparkling water
3 ice cubesPut V.I.P Jiu 8, passion fruit syrup and ice cubes into a glass and top with orange and mango flavoured clear sparkling water, stir and enjoy.