Treffer: An Exploration of the Pipa with a View Towards Expanded Integration into Western Musical Compositions

Due to its broad range of timbres, unique adaptability, and rich history, the pipa has historically taken the spotlight as the most prominent of Chinese traditional instruments, often being referred to as the “king” of such instruments. Since its inception, the pipa has taken several unique evolutionary paths and has been known by various names throughout its history. In the 20th century the modern pipa was intentionally enhanced and adapted, enabling it to play compositions using both the Chinese and the Western score system. This paper explores a brief history of the pipa, the various types and ranges of timbres the pipa can produce, and the physical characteristics of the pipa coupled with the various techniques employed when playing the pipa that enable the production of such timbres. This paper goes on to describe in detail the development of pipa techniques over time as they have been developed and applied by various composers in a wide range of pipa compositions. Specifically, this paper analyzes pipa compositions that integrate Chinese and Western compositional techniques produced by composers who have studied compositional techniques abroad and by those who have not. It is the hope of the author that by providing a systematic explanation of the pipa as a musical instrument, along with an account of the ways in which it has been adapted to the West, the pipa’s great potential can be fully realized in the production of a new generation of innovative and powerfully vivid music.