The People of China: A History Through Music

China, one of the oldest civilizations in the world, developed one of the earliest musical scales and instruments, including the xun , a globular flute. Chinese orchestral, ensemble, and solo instrumental music continues to dominate the world, particularly because of the unique Eastern approach using a four-stage melodic and harmonic design. These musical instrument principles were fully developed during the age of Confucius, or the Pre-Qin period. Further developments led to artistic musical masterpieces that transitioned into the peak of the Chinese classical music era. The common Chinese classical instruments included: silk for stringed instruments, wood for woodblocks, bamboo for flutes, stone for mallet music production, metal for gongs and bells, gourd for reed-free mouth organs, hide for large drums, and clay for xun prototypes. Chinese opera began its influence during the Tang Dynasty, which later spawned into 300 different musical sub-genres. Over the years, Chinese music evolved into a contemporary form that resembles much of Westernized music. Despite this prolonged influence, Chinese music has maintained its traditional, folk, ceremonial, classical and other musical styles unique to the Eastern world.

Traditional Music:

• The Beauty and Grace of Chinese Traditional Pipa Music: An example of Chinese traditional pipa music and the elegance involved in its production.

• Traditional, Classical and Contemporary Chinese Music: An extract from a documentary detailing the developments of Chinese music from traditional, classical, and onto contemporary forms.

• The Internet Chinese Music Archive: Traditional Music: A Chinese traditional musical .midi database for the enthusiast.

• Traditional Chinese Music: A compilation and explanation of Chinese subtypes of traditional music.

Folk Music:

• Chinese Folk Songs: An illustration and hierarchical structure of Chinese folk songs.

• Chinese Folk Songs by Musical Artists: Dizi, Gu Zheng, Erhu: A compilation of famous Chinese folk songs by famous Chinese musical artists: Dizi, Gu Zheng, and Erhu.

• An Anthology of Chinese Folk Songs: A collection of Chinese folk songs with 30 second sample intervals for the avid listener.

• Chinese Folk Song Collection: A brief introduction of The Book of Songs and links to different Chinese folk songs.

Ceremonial Music:

• The Internet Chinese Music Archive: The Great Empire of China: An online collection of Chinese ceremonial music in .midi format.

• Ancient Chinese Ritual and Ceremonial Music: A brief explanation of ceremonial and ritual music that was played in ancient China.

• Ancient China Simplified: Chapter XLII – Music: A brief history of ancient Chinese music, including ceremonial sub-genres.

• Chinese Music: An elegant performance of Chinese ceremonial music with warm, harmonic scales appealing to every ear.

Pre-War Era Before Mao Zedong:

• Chinese Music Classics of 20th Century – I/VI: Songs: A collection of classical Chinese music from the 20^th Century.

• Welcome to Chinese Music at Laney College: An academic approach to learning Chinese music.

• Chinese Americans: A History Overview: An extensive overview of Chinese Americans and how immigration transformed the Western world, including the impact of mixing musical styles.

• A Musical Tour of China: An account of a musical tour in China.

Post-War Era After Mao Zedong:

• Mao Zedong: An account and musical tribute of Mao Zedong, a Chinese communist leader during the Second World War.

• Rethinking Cultural Revolution Culture: Art and Propaganda in the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution

• Chinese Music in the XXth and XXIst Centuries: A historical account of Chinese music development under Mao Zedong.

• Songs of the Red Guards: Songs of the Red Guards details the life under the communist rule of Mao Zedong.

Music Influenced by The West:

• Modern Chinese Music: A compilation of modern Chinese singers and the Westernized contemporary music produced out of the mainland.

• Chinese Music TV: A blog that includes popular Chinese artists and their music videos.

• Where East Meets West: Contemporary Chinese Music: An extensive article detailing the Eastern contemporary craze primarily influenced by the Western world.

• Chinese Music: Instruments: A brief explanation of each Chinese musical instrument, including bronze bells, bamboo instruments, wooden blocks, silk or stringed instruments, earthen vessels, metal drums, and stone, leather, gourd instruments.

• Birth of Beijing Music Scene: The Public Broadcasting System (PBS) presents an article about the transformation of the Beijing musical scene from traditional, classical, and opera-esque music to more contemporary and pop music influenced primarily from the Westernized world. This details pop, rock, and other contemporary singers.