Jill Mattson – The Chinese carefully observed that a particular tone expressed easier, louder and more beautifully during a certain time of the year. That tone (and instrument that produced it) was then associated with that time period. Instrumental music had “prescribed seasons.”

The kung (the tone of creation) and its octave were divided into twelve lesser tones. Each tone was a divine aspect of the master kung tone. Each of the 12 scale tones was associated with a zodiac sign, because the pitch matched the prominent subtle feelings during the predominance of a zodiac sign. For example, certain instruments sounded better during the birth time of Capricorn and others sang sweeter during Aries.

The Chinese also observed that wooden, metal, reed or percussive instruments sounded acoustically clearer and louder during specific times and conditions (rain or dry, cold or hot). These instruments were then connected to these times. Instruments made from skins, branches, wood, stones and reeds not only mimicked the sounds of nature, but also emphasized certain harmonics. Different instruments were exclusively played at certain times, further engineering the balancing effect of the musical harmonics. [1] The Chinese believed that each harmonic pattern affected their health in a specific way.

Prescriptive music was performed at the correct time of year to counteract adverse climate conditions. Just as the Indians in the West performed special dances to precipitate rain for crops, the ancient Chinese created songs to balance difficult effects of seasonal weather.

Each month the first note of the scale changed. Different instruments were featured as the seasons and stars moved. The initial pitch was changed depending on the time and other factors, but the intervals remained the same. This practice balanced the country’s energy, helping the people master challenging subtle energy created by the heavens.

Each season was separated by an interval.

F = Autumn
C = Spring
G = Winter
D = Summer [2]

[1] “According to the Chinese Five Element Theory, the root of Chinese acupuncture, five elements compose nature and human beings. These five elements are wood, fire, Earth, metal and water. Each resonates with a season, chakra and one of the eight extra-ordinary meridians.” Tamado.com., Fabien Maman.

[2] C = summer in Babylonia. The Chinese used the up and down method to create notes, (F, C, G, D) and Babylonians used the divisive method for note creation (fundamental 1/1, octave ½, fifth 2/3, fourth ¾).

SF Source Jill’s Wings of Light Jul 2024