時劇為清代前期的流行劇目，曲譜收錄二十餘齣，其中〈思凡〉、〈僧尼會〉（下山）、〈昭君〉等，至今演出不輟。本文關注時劇的伴奏音樂，代表劇目為〈小妹子〉，其以「品頭」及「界頭」這類出現在字句之前的「非托腔伴奏」，作為導入次句唱腔的器樂片段，依其音樂時值長短，可細分為四種：短至兩個工尺的「品頭」（過文）、一或兩板的「隨界」、兩板以上的「界頭」（大過文）、全齣開唱之前數個樂句的「和首」。這些器樂片段據其先聲奪人的特質，有「亮調」之說。雖然必須在適當的音樂空隙處插入進行，但仍是靈活多變的，具有裝飾性質，多寡不拘。清代前期絃索音樂自由化的作法，兼具時尚新意與通俗易行，並發揮伴奏在托腔之外的器樂表現。

This article analyzes the complex relationships between instrumental accompaniment and vocal performance in “Shiju,” a popular musical genre of the early Qing dynasty. With a rich repertoire of over 20 plays, including notable examples like Sifan (Longing for a Worldly Life), Seng Ni Hui (Meeting Between the Monk and Nun, also known as Xiashan, Going Down the Mountain), and Zhaojun, the genre has been continuously performed from its inception to the present day. This study uses the piece Xiao Meizi (Little Sister) as a case example to examine the use of “non-verbal instrumental accompaniment,” with special attention to “Pintou” and “Jietou,” compositional techniques where instrumental passages take precedence over the vocal lines. These instrumental interludes are categorized into four distinct types based on their duration: “Pintou” (or “Guowen”), which can be as brief as two notes; “Suijie,” which extends its length to one or two measures; “Jietou” (or “Daguowen”), which is typically longer than two measures; and “Heshou,” referring specifically to the opening instrumental section that precedes the entrance of the vocal text. These instrumental passages serve both structural and aesthetic functions. As they are often the first musical notes to start the plays, they set the tone (“Liangdiao”) and create the impression of the work for the audience. Throughout the performance, they also flexibly fill the musical interstices, functioning as decorative and improvisational elements. The prominence of these instrumental passages reflects a broader stylistic trend that highlights the expressive capabilities of non-verbal instrumental accompaniment musical passages.

時劇; 絃索; 《太古傳宗》; 《納書楹曲譜》; 〈小妹子〉; 戲曲伴奏

shiju; xiansuo; Taigu Chuanzong; Nashuying Qupu; Xiao Meizi (Little Sister); Xiqu (Chinese opera) accompaniment