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Lessons
"Promoting the art of lion dancing includes sharing our knowledge with others. We are proud to humbly share what we have learned through our years of training and performances, and hope to contribute to the evolution of lion dancing around the world."
:: 8 Virtues of Martial Spirit
To achieve success in lion dancing and in life, each individual must abide by these rules according to Sifu H.P. Siow of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Loyalty
Above all other principles, you must make a dedicated commitment to yourself and your group in order to meaningfully progress in lion dancing. You must put forth all of your effort to your group in good faith, and not abandon your brothers and sisters merely to gain a personal advantage in another group. Any decision to switch groups or create a new group must be taken very seriously.
Righteousness
Only those who truly love lion dancing will have the commitment necessary to correctly master the art. You should not abuse lion dancing for personal gain or financial exploitation. You must also learn skills properly and without shortcuts. The only path to mastery of the lion dance is through proper training and education.
Perseverence
Do not get discouraged because you cannot master a particular skill immediately. Lion dancing is easy to learn but extremely difficult to master. Nobody achieves a high skill level quickly, no matter how much talent they may have.
Courage
Face your challenges with an open mind and without fear. Do not be afraid to fail, nor to ask for advice from others. Develop confidence in what you already know, and do not hesitate in addressing your weaknesses.
Wisdom
Learn from your mistakes and eliminate them. Learn from your successes and incorporate them. Be willing to share your knowledge with others so they do not make the same mistakes.
Honesty
Be sincere in your commitment to lion dancing. If you require additional development in a particular skill, you must realize that. If you cannot put forth your entire effort, you must inform your group members.
Harmony
Lion dancing requires the highest standards of teamwork. Do your best to help your group members succeed as an entire group, not as individuals. Do not disrupt the group in your pursuit of individual recognition. Also promote harmony within the lion dancing community in general.
Politeness
Treat everyone with respect and courtesy. Your skill level is relative, and you will always find individuals better or worse than you in any particular skill. Our manners and decorum define our humanity; only animals prey on those weaker than them.
:: Drumming
Hoc San style lion dancing follows the 18-style drumming system popularized by the world-class lion dancers of Malaysia. In order to teach this drumming style, Sifu H.P. Siow developed a unique system of written notation to convey rhythms without requiring knowledge of standard musical notation. We are happy to now provide our transcribed interpretation of Sifu Siow's notation system for free sharing and use.
To hear these rhythms in action, go to the lion dance music page located on the Yellow River Drummers website.
For more information, contact Willy Le.
Glossary :
^ = tak; tap the rim
^^ = tak-tak
(^^^^^) = tak-terak-tak-tak
O = tung; strike drum without cymbals and gong
@ = chang; strike drum with cymbals and gong accompaniment
O! = tung!; loudly strike drum with cymbals and gong accompaniment
9 = chip; muffled strike for drum, cymbals and gong
' = gong strikes
, = cymbal strikes
@... = chaaaaaang; drumroll
@-@-@-@ = chang-chang-chang-chang
(@@@@@) = chang-ch-cherang-chang
- = quick, consecutive strikes; remember that any notes can be combined interchangeably, i.e., O-(@@@@@)-@
Basic Patterns :
3 Bows
^ ^^ @,' @,' @,' @,'...9 @,'...9 @,'...9
Cuc Fa Tao - blooming chrysanthemum flower; raising the lion's head
(^^^^^) O! @,'-@-@,-@, (@',@@@,@,') @,'-@-@,-@, (@,'@@@,@,')-@,' O-(@,'@@@,@,')-@,' O!,
Mat Dim - active lion
@,' @, @,' @, @,' @, @,' O!, @,'
Ding Dim - resting lion
O-@,' , O-@,' , O-@,' , O-@,' ,
Ding Dim variations - lion's reaction
O!, @,' , O-@,' O!,-O-@,' , O-@,' (O!,...)-@,' , O-@,' O!, @,'
Running
O!, (@,'@@@,'@,')-(@,'@@@,'@,')-(@,'@@@,'@,')-(@,'@@@,'@,')
Jumping
O!, @,'...-@,-@,'-@,' O!, @,'-@,-@,-@,'-@,' O!, @,'...@,-@,'-@,' O!, @,'-@, @,'-@,' O!, (@,'@@@,@,') 9
Ending
O!, @,'-@,' @,'-@,'-@,' @,'-@,'-@,' (@,'@@@,@,')-@,' O!, @,' @,' @,' @,' 9
Testing Patterns :
Tam Bo - investigative step
O!, @,' @, @,' @, @,' O!, (@,'@@@,@,')-@,' ^-O-9 ^-O-9 ^-O @,'-@, @,'-@,' O!, (@,'@@@,@,')-@,'
Chung Jeen - middle display
[ ^-O @,'-@,' @,'-@,' ] [ <-- 3x ] O!, (@,'@@@,@,')-@,'
Bun Jeen - half/partial display
O!, @,' @, @,' @, @,' O!, @,' 9 @,' O!, @,'-@,' @,'-@,' O!, (@,'@@@,@,')-@,'
Ha Jeen - lower display
[ ^-O @,'-@,' @,'-@,' 9 @,' ] [ <-- 3x ] O!, @,'-@,' @,'-@,' O!, (@,'@@@,@,')-@,'
Jek Jeen - forward display
^-O @,'-@,' @,'-@,'-@,' @,'-@,'-@,' @,'-@,' O! (@,'@@@,@,')-@,'
Seong Jeen - upper display
[ ^-O @,'-@,' @,'-(@,'@@@,@,') @,' 9 @,' ] [ <-- 4x ] O!, @,'-@,' @,'-@,' O!, (@,'@@@,@,')-@,'
Chat Tung - emerging from a cave
9 9 9 9 9 9
Chat Sang - lion scratches its body
[ ^-O (@,'@@-9) @,'-@,' ] [ <-- 3x ] @,'-@,' (@,'@@@,'@,')-9
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