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Which instruments make up the wuchang ensemble for military scenes in Peking opera?
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Chinese performing arts
Contemporary kunqu performer.
In Peking opera (jingxi), the wuchang ensembleāwhich provides accompaniment for military scenesāis primarily composed of percussion instruments. These include:
Additionally, the ensemble often incorporates a small flat gong (luo), a drum known as the bangu, and clappers (paiban). In these military scenes, the ensemble may also be joined by a double reed instrument with a conical bore and bell, known as the suona.1