The first detailed mention of stone sounds is found in Chinese history. Following the various myths about sounding stones, archaeologists have found the first concrete examples dating back to the Shang II Dynasty (1350-1050 BC). Drums and their drum sticks and a sounding stone, a ch´ing, found only in this area, were discovered.
The exact description of a sounding stone, which was required to have a specific size was
té-ch´ing. A more encompassing sounding stones set was called pien-ch´ing.
The site of discovery also revealed flutes, which are similar to the Okarina, and stones which were well tuned.
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The sounding stone had a pentagonal shape and was hung on a stand. It dates back to the early or middle Chou Dynasty.
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The jade sounding stone was made of the most precious jade, rarely found. Jade was at that time, as well as today, most precious. The pictured sounding stone was very popular. Its disk form represents the heavens or the yang principle, while the middle stands for the earth, the yin principle.
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| The sounding stone is called pien-ch´ing and is still used today. Tuned stone slabs are hung from a stand which allows them to swing freely. The majority of the sounding stone sets are now in archaeological museums. The photograph on the left comes from the Royal Ontario Museum of Archaeology of Toronto. The 16 stones are all tuned and an octave has 12 half notes. Sounding stones remain tuned over decades with only small variations in the sound.
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The sound of the stones has proven that they belong to the category of precious stones.
As part of the ensemble “SoundStone”, Manfred Kniel has developed his own sounding stone set, which is a combination of various types and forms of stones. Using his feet, he plays a crate filled with pebbles. A large rock drilled with holes, various stone slabs, drill cores, and various types and forms of stone make up his instrument set which is constantly being expanded.
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