Folk Chinese Music: A History

A comprehensive guide to the history of folk Chinese music, from its origins to the present day.

What is folk Chinese music?

Folk Chinese music is the music of the Han Chinese people, which includes various forms such as dongsong (懂松, “wind-bell songs”), bao’an (抱安, “embrace peace songs”), shidaoqu (师道曲, “teacher strictness songs”), and xintianyou (心田悠, “heart field songs”). It covers a wide range of topics including love, marriage, religion, and history. The music is often based on legends or stories.

The history of folk Chinese music

Folk Chinese music is the music of the Han Chinese people. It includes a wide variety of musical styles and genres, from the simple and lovely melodies of folk songs to the complex and emotionally powerful Cantonese operas.

The history of folk Chinese music can be traced back to the time of the Xia Dynasty (2100-1600 BCE), when it was first mentioned in historical texts. Since then, it has undergone a series of changes and evolution, with different dynasties and regions developing their own unique musical traditions.

During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), folk music became more popular and was widely performed at events such as religious ceremonies, festivals, and court banquets. It also began to be used as a form of entertainment in tea houses and restaurants.

Folk music continued to develop during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE), when new genres such as jingju (Peking opera) and quyi (traditional Chinese storytelling) emerged. These new forms of entertainment quickly became popular with the general public.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 CE), professional musicians began to perform folk music in a more formal setting, such as in temples and shrines. This led to a further development of the genre, with new musical styles and instruments being introduced.

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in folk Chinese music, with many young people taking up traditional instruments and learning traditional songs. Folk music is now once again enjoyed by people all over China.

The different types of folk Chinese music

Folk Chinese music encompasses a wide range of music styles that have developed over the centuries in various regions of China. These music styles are generally characterized by their simple melodies and rhythms, as well as their use of traditional instruments.

Some of the most popular folk Chinese music styles include:

-Ditangqu (地探曲): a type of folk music from North China that is often played at weddings and other festive occasions. It is characterized by its fast tempo and celebratory lyrics.
-Nanguan (南管): a type of classical Chinese music that originated in the southern province of Fujian. It is known for its slow and elegant melodies, as well as its use of the erhu (二胡), a traditional two-stringed Chinese instrument.
-Shidaiqu (石代曲): a type of folk music from the central province of Shandong that is known for its emotionally charged lyrics. It is often played at weddings and other special occasions.
-Xiangsheng (相声): a type of comedic performance art that originated in North China. It typically involves two performers telling jokes and engaging in banter with each other.

The instruments used in folk Chinese music

Folk Chinese music is traditionally performed on a wide variety of instruments. These include the sheng (a mouth-blown reed instrument), the erhu (a two-string fiddle), the dizi (a flute), and the pipa (a pear-shaped lute).

The sheng is perhaps the most important instrument in folk Chinese music, and it has a history that dates back over 2,000 years. It is made up of a number of bamboo pipes of different lengths, which are attached to a wind chest. The player blows into a mouthpiece attached to the wind chest, and the pipes vibrate to produce a sound.

The erhu is another very important instrument in folk Chinese music. It is a two-string fiddle that is held horizontally, and it has a long neck with 19 frets. It is played with a bow, and the player can produce a wide range of sounds by using different techniques.

The dizi is a flute that is made from bamboo. It has six holes, which the player covers with his or her fingers to produce different notes. The dizi is often used in folk Chinese music to provide accompaniment for other instruments.

The pipa is a pear-shaped lute that has four strings. It is held vertically, and it is played with picks attached to the player’s fingers. The pipa has a long history in China, and it was first mentioned in texts dating back to the 4th century AD.

The role of folk Chinese music in Chinese culture

Folk Chinese music has played a significant role in Chinese culture for centuries. It is an integral part of everyday life, used for everything from religious ceremonies to story-telling and entertainment. Folk music is typically passed down from generation to generation, and often tells the stories of a community or region. In recent years, folk music has seen a resurgence in popularity, as more and more people are interested in exploring their cultural roots.

The influence of folk Chinese music on other genres

Folk Chinese music has had a significant influence on other genres. For example, many of the most popular songs in China today have their origins in folk music. In addition, folk music has also been used as the foundation for other genres, such as film scores and pop music.

The popularity of folk Chinese music in the modern day

Folk Chinese music, also known as min’Yue or min’Xi, is a genre of music that originated in the provinces of China. The music is often characterized by its use of traditional instruments and strong vocals. In recent years, folk Chinese music has become increasingly popular in the mainstream music scene. This article will explore the history and popularity of folk Chinese music in the modern day.

Folk Chinese music has its roots in the ancient culture and folklore of China. The music was traditionally passed down from generation to generation through oral tradition. In the early 20th century, folk Chinese music began to be recorded and published, making it more accessible to a wider audience. In the 1950s and 1960s, many folk Chinese musicians were invited to perform at state-sponsored events, which helped to increase the popularity of the genre.

Today, folk Chinese music enjoys a wide audience both inside and outside of China. The genre has been popularized by modern artists such as Jay Chou and Hanggai. Many folk Chinese bands have toured internationally, bringing their unique sound to new audiences. With its mix of traditional instrumentation and contemporary influences, folk Chinese music is sure to continue to captivate listeners for years to come.

The future of folk Chinese music

With the globalization of Chinese music, and the increased popularity of traditional Chinese instruments in the Western world, it is likely that folk Chinese music will continue to grow in popularity. This popularity is likely to result in more opportunities for musicians to study and perform this type of music. In addition, as traditional Chinese instruments become more available in the West, it is likely that more people will be exposed to this type of music.

FAQs about folk Chinese music

1. What is folk Chinese music?
Folk Chinese music refers to the traditional music of China that has been passed down orally from generations to generations. It is often characterized by its simple and rustic melodies, as well as its use of traditional instruments such as the erhu and dizi.

2. Where did folk Chinese music come from?
Folk Chinese music can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC), when it was first mentioned in the ancient texts known as the Zuo Zhuan and Guoyu. It was during this period that the first folk songs began to emerge, and they were often about the daily life of peasants or about love and loss.

3. How has folk Chinese music evolved over time?
Folk Chinese music has undergone a number of changes over the centuries, particularly in terms of its form and style. For example, in the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), folk songs were often written in a more formal and polished style, while in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD), they tended to be more simple and concise. In recent years, there has been a revival of interest in traditional folk music, with many modern musicians incorporating elements of it into their work.

4. What are some popular folk Chinese songs?
Some popular folk Chinese songs include “Jasmine Flower”, “Moonlight over Spring River”, “Ink Painting of Ducks” and “Lullaby of Liu Town”.

Further resources on folk Chinese music

If you’re interested in learning more about folk Chinese music, we’ve put together a list of resources that can help.

Books:
-The Music of China by Laurence E. Rittenhouse
-Folk Songs of China by Chou Wen-chung
-Music in the Teahouse: Songs from the Zhou Brothers Teahouse by Chou Wen-chung and Zhou Long

Articles:
-“Folk Chinese Music: An Overview” by Chou Wen-chung in The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music, Vol. 7: East Asia, ed. Stephen Jones (New York and London: Routledge, 2002), pp. 441-443.
-“Folk Chinese Music in the Twentieth Century” by Chou Wen-chung in The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 2nd ed., ed. Stanley Sadie (London: Macmillan, 2001), Vol. 6, pp. 201-204.

Websites:
-The Chinese Music Archive at Columbia University: http://www.columbia.edu/itc/music/Dictree/hanyu/index_hanyu4.htm
-The Association for Traditional Studies in China: http://www.traditionalstudies.org