In order to understand Chinese Therapeutic Music, it is necessary to understand two concepts of Chinese culture and medicine. The principle of Yin and Yang is that there is a tangible physical body and an intangible energy body. The physical body and the energy body are related with the principles of Yin and Yang. Yin and
Yang are like the two sides of a coin, as neither side is inherently better or worse than the other side is, but one side cannot exist without the other. A change in Yin causes an equal balancing change in Yang. A change in Yang causes an equal balancing change in Yin. This concept is at the core of Chinese culture and
Chinese medicine.
Our tangible physical body includes all the physical aspects of our body. This …show more content…
The Five-Note Guidance Theory
The treatment principles for Chinese Therapeutic Music are based on the Five-
Note Guidance Theory. The word Guidance came from Zhuang-zi's Determinant.
"Guiding the emotions to harmony, and guiding the body to relaxation." It means that through the use of music, the listener is guided to an optimal state where the whole body, including all joints and tendons, is relaxed and the heart and mind are harmoniously regulated."
The Five-Note Guidance Theory has its roots in the ancient mathematical models used by the traditional Chinese music of "The River Diagram" and "The Book of
Music". It also has a close relationship with the physiological rhythm of the human body. Naturally, the Five-Note Guidance Theory has to do with the five notes. Unlike modern music, the ancient Chinese music system was composed of five notes.
These notes are Jue, Zhi, Gong, Shang, and Yu, which correspond to the five elements-wood, fire, earth, metal, and water, respectively. They also respond to the five internal organs-the liver, theheart, the spleen, the lungs, and the kidneys.
Further , they relate to the five tastes-bitter, salty, sweet, sour, and spicy.