Episode 3 Singing: Bongzi Chungban (梆子中板) (1)
The Banhong Style (板腔體) in Cantonese opera is divided into two major categories of "Bongzi" (梆子) and "Yiwong" (二黃). In this episode, we will introduce and demonstrate the category of "Bongzi Chungban", which includes "Chengsin" (正線), "Fansin Chungban"(反線中板), "Traditional Chungban"(古老中板).
"Chungban" can comes in seven-word or ten-word per sentence with the beats made up of alternating bans and dings. The music starts with a ding. In terms of style, "Bongzi Chungban" can be sung in "Male Voice" (平喉), "Female Voice" (子喉), and "Bahong " (霸腔). Meanwhile, the mode of "Chungban" is changeable. It can be divided into) "Chengsin" (正線), "Fansin" (反線), and "Yifan" (乙反), and "Ti-Fa" (乙反). The rhythm can be slow, moderate, and fast.