As a folk ensemble of Chinese wind and percussion instruments, Shangdang Bayinhui is widely spread in six counties (cities and regions) in Jincheng City, southeast of Shanxi Province. It was originated in the Xia and Shang Dynasties, formed in the Spring and Autumn Period, and developed as an integral form of music in the Han and Tang Dynasties, enjoying a history of over 2000 years. The ancient Chinese found that many materials could make a sound. They processed such materials into various musical instruments in later production and life, and used them to make simple performance. There were about eight kinds of materials applicable for making musical instruments: Gold, stone, soil, wood, bottle gourd, leather, silk and bamboo. The eight types of musical instruments made of such materials were called "Bayin (Eight Sounds)". "Hui" here refers to a form or platform; musical performance with various instruments is called "Bayinhui". Bayinhui has the major functions of serving the society and people as well as entertaining gods, ghosts and the people themselves.
Bayinhui prevailing in Shangdang region has a long history. It is widely spread to such extent that a natural village with ten odd households is provided with a band of Bayinhui; it is common for a large village to have two or three bands. Each band of Bayinhui has it own name, usually the same as the name of the village or street it belongs to. Percussion music of Bayinhui belongs to "Martial Passage", while its orchestral music belongs to "Literal Passage". Major activity of Bayinhui at the initial stage is to participate in God-greeting Saishe, in which bandsmen are dressed in long gown (or unlined long gown in summer). Fluttering in front of the band are four triangular flags, each of which is written with a "Command" or embroidered with a dragon in the center. In front of the white lining of each flag is a row of white cotton streamers which are written with the names of county, village and Bayinhui. Following the flags are several cavalry bugles which are over one meter long. They are as wide as a bowl and free of nibs, being used to create atmosphere rather than play music. Once the way-clearing cavalry bugle neighs, the bandsmen will be thrilled and play various musical instruments while walking, producing deafening sound of gongs and drums. Bayinhui also makes performance in its own village on such occasions as wedding ceremony, residence changing, birthday celebration and anniversary celebration. It is also be invited to "Cry at Funeral" in some places.
During its formation and development, Shangdang Bayinhui has been integrated with the essence of imperial court music, temple music, opera, folk song, ditty etc. It is hereby endowed with amiability, majesty and profound connotation with diversified musical features. Through conducting slight processing and changing modes and musical instruments, Shangdang Bayinhui can make whatever types of music reasonable and rhythmic, thus enriching and advancing itself. Musicians in all ages have strictly adhered to a principle, that is, top priority should be given to the enhancement of musical features (loud, sonorous, vehement and fervent) owned by Shangdang Bayinhui when introducing whatever types of music. This principle has contributed to the ever novelty, properness for occasions and vitality of Shangdang Bayinhui, while providing opportunities for constant supplementation and innovation of its musical instruments.
