What instruments are played?
When is the music played?
Who writes the songs?
What are the songs about?
Music is an important part of the Chinese people’s life.
Traditional Chinese music is played with traditional instruments such as the pipa, erhu, suona, guzheng, huqin, etc. The songs are mainly about love, life and news. Some songs tell us legends long long ago. And they are often handed down from generation to generation. In the past, the best chance to hear it was during a festival or at a wedding.
Modern Chinese music, on the other hand, is played with drums, guitars and keyboard. Some songs also use traditional instruments as well. The young musicians and stars write new songs and people can enjoy them all the time over the radio, on TV or even in the street.
One thing that hasn’t changed very much is that they both are about love and life. Whether they change or not, our love for music and life never changes.