Chinese Folk Music Artists You Need to Know

Byjoseph

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

If you’re a fan of traditional Chinese music, then you’ll want to check out these five folk music artists that are making a name for themselves.

China has a long and rich musical tradition, and folk music is an important part of that tradition. There are many different styles of Chinese folk music, each with its own history and tradition. Here are some of the most popular Chinese folk music artists:

Wang Lei is a well-known Chinese folk singer who specializes in the genre of xiangsheng, or “crosstalk.” Crosstalk is a type of comedic performance in which two performers tell jokes and engage in humorous banter. Wang Lei is known for his witty sense of humor and his ability to improvise.

Ye Xiangyu is a popular folk musician from the province of Shandong. He is known for his skillful playing of the erhu, a two-stringed traditional Chinese instrument. Ye Xiangyu’s music often tells stories about the lives of ordinary people, and he is considered one of the premier exponents of Shandong Folk music.

The husband-and-wife team of Liu Fang and Wu Man are two of the most well-known players of traditional Chinese instruments in the world. They both come from families with long histories of playing traditional music, and they have continued that tradition in their own careers. Liu Fang plays the pipa, a four-stringed lute-like instrument, while Wu Man plays the zheng, a kind of 21-stringed zither. Together, they have performed all over the world and have been widely praised for their virtuosity and artistry.

The most popular Chinese folk music genres include Daoist and Buddhist music, local opera, narrative songs, work songs, love songs, and instrumental music. Daoist music is traditionally associated with the practice of Daoism and is used in rituals and ceremonies. Buddhist music is used in religious rituals and ceremonies associated with Buddhism. Local opera refers to a variety of traditional Chinese operas that are unique to specific regions. Narrative songs are typically about storytelling and often have a moral message. Work songs are typically about the daily labor of farmers or other workers. Love songs are usually about the young lovers’ encounters and conflicts. Instrumental music includes a wide variety of traditional Chinese instruments such as the erhu, pipa, and dizi.

There is a huge variety of Chinese folk music instruments, many of which are unique to China. Here are some of the most popular:

-The erhu is a two-stringed bowed instrument, also known as the “Chinese violin.” It is used in many different genres of Chinese music, from traditional folk music to newer pop styles.

-The zheng is a plucked string instrument with a hexagonal body and 20 or 21 strings. It is one of the oldest Chinese instruments, and has been used in court music for centuries.

-The pipa is a four-stringed lute with a pear-shaped body. It is often used in solo pieces or as part of an ensemble.

-The dizi is a flute made from bamboo. It has a high, clear tone and is used in many different genres of music.

Chinese folk music is a genre of traditional music originating from rural parts of China. Although often used interchangeably with Chinese traditional music, Chinese folk music differs in styles, Instruments, and songs.

There are many different types of Chinese folk songs, including work songs, ballads, love songs, and sea shanties. Unlike Western folk music, which is often passed down orally from one generation to the next, Chinese folk music was historically written down by scholars. This allowed for a greater level of technical control and standardization in its performance.

Some of the most popular Chinese folk songs include:
-The Ballad of Mulan (木兰辞 Mùlán Cí)
-The Willow Tree (杨柳青 Yángliǔ Qīng)
-Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai (梁山伯与朱莹台 Liáng Shānbó yǔ Zhū Yīngtái)
-Nine Peterson Pines (九张纸 Jiǔ Zhāngzhǐ)
-Jasmine Flower (茉莉花 Mòlihua)

There are many different Chinese folk music festivals that are popular among both locals and tourists alike. Some of the most well-known and respected festivals include the Nanguan and Beiguan Music Festival, the Duanwu Folk Music Festival, and the Guqin Arts Festival. Each of these festivals showcases different aspects of Chinese culture and music, and provides attendees with a truly unique experience.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in Chinese folk music, both within China and abroad. While traditional Chinese music has long been appreciated for its beauty and complexity, folk music tends to be more accessible and immediate, making it a good entry point for those new to the genre. Here are some of the most popular Chinese folk music CDs currently available:

1. “The Best of Chinese Folk Music” by Various Artists
2. “Folk Songs of China” by Liu Fang
3. “Chinese Folk Songs” byweek Ya-mei Chu
4. “The Beauty of Chinese Folk Songs” by Chen Lei
5. “Folk Songs of the Yangtze Delta” by He Xiaojuan

There are a number of popular Chinese folk music radio stations that are enjoyed by listeners across the country. Some of the most popular stations include:

-Beijing People’s Radio Station FM96.6：This station features a mix of traditional and modern folk music from across China, and offers listeners the chance to enjoy both new and classic tunes.

-Hunan Public Broadcasting FM91.4：This station is devoted to folk music from the Hunan province, and features a mix of both traditional and contemporary tunes.

-Tibet Public Broadcasting FM99.9：This station offers listeners a chance to enjoy a wide range of Tibetan folk music, from traditional ballads to modern pop songs.

Since the 1990s, Chinese folk music has been gaining in popularity, both within China and abroad. A number of factors have contributed to this increase in popularity, including the growth of the Chinese economy and the increasing availability of technology.

One of the most popular ways to experience Chinese folk music is through TV shows. These shows typically feature a mix of traditional and contemporary folk music, and often feature famous Chinese musicians. Some of the most popular Chinese folk music TV shows include:

-“The Central Plains Folk Music Show” (中原民谣 show)
-“Folk Songs of China” (中国民歌 show)
-“The Impression Folk Music Show” (印象民谣 show)

These shows are a great way to learn about and appreciate different aspects of Chinese culture. If you’re interested in learning more about Chinese folk music, be sure to check out one of these popular TV shows.

With the advent of the internet, there are now many ways to access and enjoy Chinese folk music. Here are some of the most popular Chinese folk music websites:

1. ncmusic.cn: This website offers a wide variety of Chinese folk music, including both traditional and contemporary pieces.

2. xiami.com: On this website, you can find a mix of both traditional and modern Chinese folk music.

3. kugou.com: This website specializes in traditional Chinese folk music.

4. yinyuetai.com: This website offers both traditional and contemporary Chinese folk music, as well as other genres such as pop and rock.

5. qqmusic.com: This website offers a wide variety of music genres, including Chinese folk music.

Folk music of China refers to the music played by the Han Chinese, which includes various forms of music from different regions of China. There are four major categories of Chinese folk music: instrumental, Shards, religious, and local opera.

Instrumental folk music includes the erhu (a two-stringed fiddle), dizi (a transverse flute), guzheng (a zither), and yangqin (a hammered dulcimer). Shards folk music is performed with plucked string instruments, such as the pipa (a four-stringed lute) and the sanxian (a three-stringed plucked lute). Religious folk music includes Buddhist and Taoist music, as well as Confucian ceremonial music. Local opera is a form of traditional Chinese theatre that combines singing, speaking, acting, and acrobatics.

Some of the most popular Chinese folk music books include The Art of the Erhu, Dizi Method Vol 1 & 2, A Beginner’s Guide to Guzheng, Teach Yourself Yangqin, and Pipa For Beginners.

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