One of the first songs I learned to sing in Chinese Mandarin was “Two Tigers.” The tune is not pentatonic. If I take out the one melodic note that is not part of the major pentatonic scale, I bet you will still recognize it. Unless you know the song in Chinese, you would disagree that it’s “Two Tigers.” You will know it by another name.
In 3 Chord Thursday, we celebrated year of the tiger in 2022. There are not as many songs about tigers as there are about cats.
Ask every Chinese child, he or she will know the song of the Two Tigers that run so fast.
Below are the lyrics. Notice that it’s very repetitive, both in lyrics and in melody. This makes it easy to remember — and provides practice opportunity. Repetition is good!
Solo instrumental composition
To conform with my series of pentatonic compositions that I’m currently obsessed with, I decided to remove the one note from the tune that makes the song not pentatonic.
The piece has four sections marked A, B, C, D. Each section is a variation on the same theme (tune). I make use of three left hand techniques, namely the hammer-on, pull-off, and slide.
This song can be accompanied with one chord – the F major chord or the F add 9 (0010) chord.
At first, I had specified quarter note as 120 beats per minute (BPM). It was how I sing the song. But it’s way too fast to squeeze in all the different notes.
So I recorded in two tempi, at 60 BPM and at 80 BPM.
I’ve recorded the tune of Two Tigers Chinese song many times previously. Here’s one of me singing and playing the kazoo, ukulele, and piano.
Two Tigers in Chinese on ukulele and piano (with voice)
Access to the sheet music
The “Two Tigers” instrumental solo for high G ukulele is available to Annual Subscribers of 3 Chord Thursday 2025. Just click on the link and request it — and I will share the one-page PDF with you.
I would appreciate getting feedback on the following so that I will continue to make my music available.
- Can you sight read it?
- Which bits are challenging to do?
- How would you describe the piece?
- Does the video help at all? If so, how?
- Does it make you want to study and perform it?
If you’re not a paid subscriber but would like a copy, you can Venmo or Zelle me US$15 for this piece or send me Amazon Gift Voucher or airmiles. Contact me.
