Structural Compatibility in Sino-Kyrgyz Musical Fusion Cross：Cultural Reception Analysis

Tong Cui; Ting Li; Muratova Ainura Muratovna

doi:10.63944/trh.NHE

Authors

Tong Cui Kyrgyz State University named after I. Arabaev Author
Ting Li Kyrgyz State University named after I. Arabaev Author
Muratova Ainura Muratovna Kyrgyz State University named after I. Arabaev Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63944/trh.NHE

Keywords:

Chinese ethnic music; Kyrgyz music; popular music; cross-cultural fusion; structural compatibility; music semiotics

Abstract

Against the backdrop of global cultural integration and the diversification of popular music, cross-ethnic music fusion has emerged as a significant pathway for cultural innovation and dissemination. Kyrgyz music, as a representative tradition of Central Asia, is characterized by its distinctive melodic systems, composite rhythmic structures, and unique instrumental timbres (Alymbaeva, 2021). Chinese ethnic music, rooted in the pentatonic scale, integrates diverse rhythmic patterns and a rich array of instruments to form an expressive system with a distinct Eastern aesthetic. Drawing on music semiotics (Nattiez, 1990) and cross-cultural communication theory (Berry, 2005), this study proposes that the deep structural compatibility between Chinese and Kyrgyz music—in terms of rhythm (e.g., asymmetric meters), scale structures (pentatonic vs. natural scales), and timbral features—facilitates their organic integration into popular music. Such fused works are hypothesized to evoke stronger emotional resonance and cultural identification among cross-cultural audiences compared to monocultural compositions. Using a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative surveys and qualitative semiotic analysis, the study validates these hypotheses and identifies specific fusion mechanisms, including rhythmic slicing and recombination, modal superposition, and vocal technique dialogue. The findings provide both a theoretical framework and practical strategies for cross-cultural music innovation, with implications for the contemporary adaptation and global dissemination of ethnic musical traditions.

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