Wang Ning Mei(Vain Longing) | Bamboo Flute Sheet Music

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Wang Ning Mei(Vain Longing) is the core theme song of A Dream of Red Mansions , a classic Chinese novel. The lyrics, adapted from the "fate verses" in Chapter 5 of the original work, were written by Cao Xueqin, a literary figure of the Qing Dynasty; the music was composed by Wang Liping, a contemporary composer. When it was released in 1987 alongside the 1987 TV adaptation of A Dream of Red Mansions , it became popular across China, evolving into a timeless classic of traditional Chinese music and earning the reputation of "the pinnacle of traditional Chinese lyrical songs".
Although later cover versions by singers such as Teresa Teng, Faye Wong, and Sa Dingding have also spread widely—each with its own unique charm—the original version performed by Chen Li for the 1987 TV series remains the most representative. Her clear yet poignant voice has been hailed as "the voice of Lin Daiyu" (the novel’s iconic female protagonist). With its plaintive, ethereal, and melodiously flowing tune, accompanied by traditional Chinese instruments like the erhu (a two-stringed fiddle) and guzheng (a plucked zither), the song fully conveys the regret and melancholy of the love between Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu (the novel’s central couple). As a perfect fusion of classical literature and music, Vain Longing not only preserves the literary depth of A Dream of Red Mansions but also materializes the theme of "mourning for gold and jade" (a metaphor for the tragic fates of the protagonists) through its melody. Its unique tragic aesthetics and artistic appeal have made it an "unforgettable-after-one-listen" classic among traditional Chinese songs, and it remains a frequently used piece in film/TV soundtracks, cultural performances, and vocal music grading exams to this day.
This music score is in the key of E. Playing it on a B-key bamboo flute using the fundamental tone of 2 can better convey the glissando effects in the melody. Of course, it can also be performed on an E-key bamboo flute with the fundamental tone of 5.

Wang Ning Mei(Vain Longing) | Bamboo Flute Sheet Music

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