Ethnomusicological Preservation and Educational Application of Jaw Harp Music of the Yi Region in Liangshan, China

ABSTRACT

This study examines the preservation and educational applications of the Yi jaw harp in the Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture of China, drawing on ethnomusicological fieldwork, instrument classification, and pedagogical analysis. Rooted in oral traditions, spiritual symbolism, and linguistic resonance, the Yi jaw harp functions as both a musical instrument and a cultural artifact, deeply intertwined with the identity and emotional life of the Yi people. Field data collected from local masters reveals the instrument's historical trajectory through phases of decline, revival, and cultural protection, shaped by shifting sociopolitical contexts and revitalized through artistic innovation. The jaw harp has 18 distinct types, each with unique structural and tonal characteristics tied to regional use and symbolic meaning. Detailed educational strategies are proposed, including classification by technique, structural analysis, and resonance theory. The study also explores dialect-based melodic variations and the connection between Yi speech tones and musical intervals. By integrating traditional playing methods, instrument craftsmanship, and contemporary teaching practices, this work offers a comprehensive model for sustaining jaw harp music as an evolving form of intangible cultural heritage. The findings confirm that incorporating the Yi jaw harp into formal and community-based education ensures its continued vitality, while empowering younger generations to carry forward a rich legacy of sound, language, and identity.