Guo Yongzhang Zhuizi Selections 郭永章坠子选集

Quyi is an umbrella term for China’s narrative-singing folk arts that combine spoken storytelling with sung passages and minimal instrumental accompaniment. It encompasses many localized forms—such as pingshu (northern storytelling), pingtan/tanci (Suzhou narrative-singing), kuaiban (clapper talk), and xiangsheng (comic crosstalk)—and is typically performed in teahouses, small theatres, and on radio or television. Musically, quyi favors pentatonic melodies, flexible speech-like rhythms, and clear prosody aligned with the tones of Mandarin or regional dialects. Performances rely on intimate delivery, witty repartee or vivid narration, and a small set of instruments (e.g., sanxian, pipa, yangqin, erhu, clappers) to paint scenes, portray characters, and pace the story.