Hunan Flower Drum Opera mainly reflects folk life and is closely related to everything in people's lives. It has rich themes and a strong local flavor. There are more than 400 traditional plays in total. Next, through the Flower Drum Opera Culture, we will introduce the repertoire and musical characteristics of Hunan Flower Drum Opera.

Traditional repertoire of Hunan Flower Drum Opera:

There are more than 400 traditional repertoires of Hunan Flower Drum Opera in various places, mainly reflecting folk life, mostly focusing on production, labor, The themes include love between men and women or family conflicts, with vivid language and strong local flavor. After 1949, the art of Huagu Opera developed greatly. It not only compiled traditional plays such as "Liu Hai Chopping Woodcutter" and "Fighting Birds", but also created many modern plays such as "Double Delivery of Food", "Sister-in-law is Busy", and "Three Mile Bay". . "Playing the Gong", "Mending the Pot", "On the Road", "Wild Duck Island", etc. have been made into films.

After liberation, under the guidance of the party’s literary and artistic policies, Hunan Huagu Opera, with the joint efforts of old artists and new literary and art workers, excavated, sorted and adapted many traditional plays, among which Hunan Huagu Opera has a greater influence across the country. The big ones include "Bangs Cutting Woodcutter", "Bangs Playing with Golden Toad", etc.

Music characteristics:

There are more than 300 tunes in Huagu Opera, which are basically a combination of tunes and patterns, supplemented by plate changes. The music is mainly accompanied by Hunan flower drums and large tubes with local characteristics, as well as national musical instruments such as suona, pipa, flute, gongs and drums. The tune is lively and lively, and the melody is smooth and bright.

According to the different tune structures, musical styles and expression techniques, it can be divided into 4 categories:

1. Sichuan tune

It is also called Zhenggong tune, that is, Xianzi It is played in the tune of Datong and Suona, and the tune is composed of passing phrases and singing phrases. The mode and melody are rich in changes, and it is the main singing tune of Flower Drum Opera.

2. Daluo Qiang

Also known as Gong Qiang, it has a structure of connecting tunes and pai, combining "qiang" and "liu" (number board), without taking care of the strings, one person speaks and everyone helps. Harmony, like a high tune, is one of the main singing styles of Huagu opera in Changsha, Yueyang and Changde.

3. Pai pai

Pai pai, including walking signs and gongs and drums, originates from the folk songs of southern Hunan. It is accompanied by small suonas and gongs and drums. It is lively and light, suitable for song and dance dramas. It is a popular folk song in southern Hunan. One of the main singing styles of various schools.

4. Minor tunes

There are folk song minor tunes and silk string minor tunes. Although the latter belongs to the minor tune system of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it has been localized. Various forms of tunes are characterized by roughness and heartiness.