Music of China

• The music of China dates back to the dawn of Chinese civilization with documents and artifacts providing evidence of a well-developed musical culture as early as the Zhou Dynasty (1122 BC - 256 BC). Today, the music continues a rich traditional heritage in one aspect, while emerging into a more contemporary form at the same time. In summary the commercialized segment is in Hong Kong and Taiwan. The more diverse and sophisticated genres and aspects are in mainland China.

Traditionally, Chinese musical instruments were classified by the material of

which they were made:

1. skin2. gourd3. bamboo 4. wood5. silk6. earth/clay 7. Metal8. stone

Zheng

Bo

Dizi

Erhu

Sheng

Yangqin

Banhu

Zhonghu

Xiao

Ruan

Pipa

Gong

Souna

Guan

Yueqin

Muyu

Liuqin

Bangu

Pengling

Sanxian

Gehu

Dahu

Zhuihu

Jinghu