Ancient Chinese Musical Traditions and Evolution

Neolithic Times and Ancient Traditions

Chinese musical civilization dates back to Neolithic times. Around 3200 BC, music was highly significant and well-regarded. Given the perceived power of music, it formed an essential part of the general educational system.

Chinese music was believed to act upon the universe, heaven, earth, and spirits. The number 3 was assigned to represent the sky, while 2 represented the earth. There is a notable similarity with Pythagoras' Theory of the Spheres and the medieval concept of perfection, where the number 3 represents the Trinity.

In 3000 BC, Ling Lun is credited with creating bamboo tubes that produced a series of fifths. The first lü (huang-zhong) served the function of the fundamental pitch.

The Shang and Chou Dynasties

During the Shang Dynasty (17th–11th century BC), festivals were held to mark the change of seasons. These involved male and female vocals sung in antiphonal form, symbolizing Yang (male) and Yin (female). The instruments used included the lithophone (rock sound), the globular flute, the drum, and the bell.

In the Chou Dynasty, music was used in agricultural festivals, religious rituals, and at court. There were jade stone chimes, series of bells, harps, and various drums. A scale of seven notes was utilized.

Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations

During the 6th and 5th centuries BC, Chinese civilization reached its highest level. This was the era of the great philosophers. In the 5th century BC, the theory of Chinese music was consolidated; the main source was the book Lüshi Chunqiu by Lü Buwei.

The Tsin Dynasty and Buddhist Influence

During the Tsin Dynasty, Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered the destruction of all books. Later, Emperor Wu Di founded an imperial office and established musical archives.

In 61 AD, Buddhism entered China. Monks brought the Chinese zither and introduced their songs. This music is characterized by the use of ornaments (gamaka). By the 4th century AD, music received multiple influences; the Persian harp, various drums, and cymbals were imported.

Middle Ages and the Modern Era

The Sui and Tang Dynasties

The Sui Dynasty saw an awakened interest in foreign music. The court instituted several bands from different places, including Cambodia, Tibet, and Mongolia.

During the Tang Dynasty, the lute (pipa) was widely used. The oldest musical manuscript, found in the Thousand Buddha Caves, is an orchestral suite with eight ritual movements and a varied melody.

The Sung Dynasty

In the Sung Dynasty, ritual melodies were similar to medieval plainchant with instrumental accompaniment. There were approximately 500 types of instruments. In Confucian melodies, the chorus, wind instruments, and bell sets sounded together. Hymns were sung based on notes of equal duration, with one note per syllable. The result was strictly measured music.