I’m quite new to the music area of China as I myself, listen to English songs instead of Chinese ones. So while writing this post, I am learning something new too.
I found out so far, that the music of China is divided into modern, national, traditional and regional music.
The modern music consists of mainly C-pop, which is either in Cantonese, or Mandarin, similar to J-pop, which is pop music from Japan. Then there is rock, Chinese rap and Hong Kong and Taiwanese hip-hop.
The forefather of Chinese rock is Cui Jian. His first rock song was called “I Have Nothing”. During this time, it was the first time an electric guitar was used in China. After this, he became one of the most famous performers of the 1980’s.
C-pop was apparently founded by Li Jinhui, with the shidaiqu genre. Shidaiqu is a mixture of Chinese folk/European jazz fusion music. It originated from Shanghai.
Traditional music is Opera, Yayue and Instrumental. The music here, is usually played on solo instruments or in small ensembles. Some instruments include: plucked and bowed stringed instruments, flutes, cymbals, gongs and drums.
National includes historical anthems, patriotic or revolutionary music, “March of the Volunteers” and “Three Principles of the People”. Mainly the music performed here encourages national pride.
The different regions of music are Tibet, Guangxi, Yunnan, Sichuan, Manchuria, Xinjiang, Hua’er and Kuaiban.
