Category Archives: Chinese folk songs
Appreciating Chinese Guqin music
Guqin is a traditional Chinese plucked string instrument (wiki). Although the instrument is of simple structure, the music it carrys can express complicated feelings. Just as the Chinese phrase “meaning beyond the strings” (弦外之音) says, careful appreciation of Guqin music gives us not only pleasure but also meditation about life. There are ten most famous Guqin music pieces. Here I pick three to represent …
An introduction to “New Chinese Folk Songs”
Chinese folk songs are often considered to be old-fashioned by the youth. However, in recent years, some Chinese singers trained in folk singing have absorbed elements of the pop music and created the so-called “new Chinese folk songs” (新民歌). Tang Can (汤灿), Zhang Yan (张燕), and Tan Jing (谭晶) are representative of this revival of Chinese folk …
Chinese folk songs featuring the moon
The moon has always been a special object in Chinese poems and songs. Usually the moon stands for the family, friendship, and love. We believe that our beloved ones can share the same moonlight with us, even if we are apart. Wang Yue (望月) by Song Zuying is one of my all-time favourite Chinese songs. …
Chinese folk songs (Northeast)
“Northeast China” refers geographically to the Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning provinces in China. The area is colder than most other areas in China, and the people there are known for their outgoing and hospitable character.Folk songs in this area reflect the features of the local residents, taking on a wider perspective towards life and an …
Chinese folk songs (Jiang Nan)
“Jiang Nan (江南)” is a beautiful geographical term in Chinese. A narrow definition of it refers to the Yangtze River Delta, roughly including Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Shanghai (more information here). This area is also called “a land flowing with milk and money” (鱼米之乡). The provinces are economically developed, and culturally glamorous. The folk songs there often …
Chinese folk songs (Qinghai Hua’er)
Qinghai Province is in Northwest China (map). It has relatively low population density. Most part of the province is plateau, so the people there mainly lives on pasturing animals. The nomadic lifestyle has nurtured their innate love for the nature, which is reflected in the folk songs. Folk songs in Qinghai are called ”Hua’er” (in enligh “flower”). This type of folk songs …
Chinese folk songs about jasmine flowers
Jasmine is the national flower of The Philippines and the flower stands for purity and eternal love. In China, the fragrant flower symbolizes harmony and elegance. There are at least three Chinese folk songs that are explicitly devoted to jasmine flowers. They differ in their style, melody, and emotion. But they share the gentleness of …
Chinese folk songs (Northwest China)
My previous articles are mainly focusing on south and east China. It turns out, however, that folk songs in the Northwest differs from the gentle style of the south. There are more topics about the lifestyle, farming, and even social movements in this area. Chinese folk songs are never short of love stories. This is …
Chinese folk songs (Yunnan)
The folk songs in Yunnan are deeply rooted in local culture. Singing is particularly important for the residents there. Young couples express love through songs. People sing while they work in the field, and the lyrics are enriched with farming knowledge. The songs also carry the culture: Since many minority groups do not have their …
