A study on the singing method of Chinese composer Zhao Yuanren art song ‘Listening to the Rain’

Zhao Yuanren was a famous Chinese linguist and composer in the early 20th century. While studying the Chinese language, he began to create art songs with Chinese national characteristics, and achieved great results. Not only that, he was also one of the first Chinese composers to use western music creation techniques. Zhao Yuanren used his language research results and music research results. He combined Chinese folk music with Western creative techniques and created a new Chinese art songs. As a result of all these aspects of his achievements. Artists like Xiao Youmei called him Oriental Schubert. This research is based on "Listening to the Rain 听雨" in Zhao Yuanren's early art song. We find that "Listening to the Rain 听雨" is Zhao Yuanren's reading style of Chinese opera poetry. At the same time, on the basis of Chinese folk music, combined with western music creation techniques, the songs of early Chinese artists were born. During the course of this study, I analyzed the overall structure and music of this art song. According to the results of Zhao Yuanren's linguistics research, I also analyzed the pronunciation method of the lyrics. It also analyzes the singing version of the famous Chinese singers. Finally, I suggested how to sing the song. In order to objectify the results of this study, I discussed with three Chinese singers and university professors. The study results are presented as follows. The study results are presented as follows： First, keep your breathing at about 50%. The breath of the voice is not shaken. Make full use of the diaphragm to sing. In this way, singing can keep the same feelings from beginning to end. Second, the song does not have significant mood changes and timbre differences. The rhythm is very steady. The vibration frequency of the sound should be very soft, concise, delicate, just like the feeling of leaves falling in the breeze. Third, in the timbre, the voice can not be heavy, relax to sing. Make the voice feel soft. But the sound should distinguish between bright and dim. Fourth, rather than a strong emotional engagement. More need to have a hazy feeling and missing the feeling. Sing this song with sad feelings. Fifth, this song is an art song created based on the new poems as the lyrics. So sing like a poem.Therefore, we should pay special attention to the tone of Chinese Chinese and the rhythm of reading after singing. And perfect correspond to western music. So be sure to use the rules of pronunciation lyrics invented by Zhao Yuanren. Chinese art songs have now become one of the central genres of Chinese vocal music."Listen to the Rain" is a song of early Chinese artists, and it is the basis of understanding the whole Chinese art song. But now due to the western sound and pronunciation, it can not fully show the beauty of Chinese art songs. I hope that the research results will have a meaningful impact on famous Chinese singers and also on students learning Chinese music.