Click for Home Page Click for Contact Us Page Click for FAQ's Page Click for About Us Page Click for Sitemap Navigation
Main Menu
Image: erhu bow

Image: Chinese drum

Image: DaDiHu

Image: Xun

Image: dizi

Image: GuZheng

Image: Pipa
Chinese Music
Chinese Musical Instruments
When we started this project (Chinese Music), I thought there were maybe 20 Chinese musical instruments. Later I thought that maybe there were a hundred or so. Now I realise there are thousands of them - many inter-related in several ways.

The related pages will soon cover the most popular of these, plus grow to include as many as possible = a long project!

For ease of reference we have divided Chinese instruments into four main categories:
Strings
  • Bowed and 2-stringed
  • Other Strings, Lutes and Zithers
Wind
Percussion
Other Instruments

Free music samples and downloads Comply with International Copyright criteria, and respect International Property Rights. If you think there is a problem, contact us and we will remove the offending piece immediately!

Note: Spelling
Most Chinese instruments are written as two Chinese characters (Mandarin). Pinyin is a standard way to write these characters in English. The Chinese would write these as one English word in lower case. Westerners tend to Capitalise the words. Other Western spellings sometimes exist, especially changing 'qin' to 'ching' etc. We use the standard letters as approved by Beijing, and generally Capitalised the first letters of both Chinese words (For correct Western syntax)

Popular Music and Downloads 

There are potential areas of overlap between the downloads offered in our musical instruments section = what an instrument sounds like, compared with those available in our Artists Section

We have endeavoured to keep these separate as much as possible (Only a couple are double entries).

Our main interest lies in bringing some of these remarkable instruments to the attention of World Music Media, with the intention that some performers may decide to use some of them in place of more mainstream instruments. In particular, I will mention the erhu in this respect - a version of a viola, but with such a heart-rending melancholy in it's tones. Enjoy!

As a final note we would add that Chinese Classical music includes Traditional songs, Folk music, tunes from Ethnic Minorities, and songs that are several millennia old!

Chinese Classical (Traditional) Music Downloads

Please see our complimentary section for an in depth look at some of the most popular instuments of China today. These pages come with free streaming of many tracks for each instrument, and are regarded as either Chinese classics, or classic for the instrument.

Listen here


Future Additions

We continue to add to this section periodically, and as resources become available to us. Our intention is to offer information and examples of each instrument listed in our catalogue (Currently 86). As each resource of information, (Pictures, and media such as Video and mp3's) grows - so will will add fuller listings in our complementary new section: Classical Chinese Music and Instruments

So these pages, whilst containing a lot of pictures and some sound; are introductory only. Hope this isn't confusing?


This information is as supplied by ourselves, and ably supported by our friends:

Wikipedia   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_traditional_Chinese_musical_instruments

Disclaimer:
As far as we are aware, all information and downloads are either reproduced here with expressed permission, or obtained from reliable free resources, and comply with International Property Rights.

Please contact us 'Now' if you think there is a problem, and we will rectify the situation immediately

Search this Website
Search Query
Our Friends
Excellent & Free Online Chinese Language Portal
Cantonese Sheik - Free Online Language Resources
Thousands of free print-friendly Chinese reference sheets, tests and revision aids.
Easy Learning format &
Listen to Spoken Words
British Foreign & Commonwealth Office
British Foreign Office

Resource and Advice for Travellers Worldwide
Chinese Embassy in UK
Chinese Embassy in UK

Information About China
International Relations
Visa & Consular
British Consulate General in China
UK Embassy in China

Information About UK
International Relations
Visa & Consular
The Dreamscheme - A Place where all disadvantaged children can be empowered to make a difference to: Themselves, Their Local Community, and The World!
Excellent and relaxing base to explore this most beautiful of regions in all China!
Down The Road.org
How We Traded Our Ordinary Lives For a Global Bicycle Touring Adventure
Tim and Cindie Travis
See Us in China
Martinos Cafe - The Best Western Restaurant in Town
China Exploration and Research Society
Based in Shangri-la,
Yunnan Province
Dedicated to Exploring Remote Areas of China
Committed to Nature Conservation and Preserving Ethnic Cultures & Traditions
Travel China Guide - Your First Call for Holidays and Information about China. Free Community resources, including City guides written by Foreigners who have been there
Based in Xi'an,
China's Premiere Travel Agency and International Travel Community -
Committed to providing:
Best travel deals & current information for all International Travellers
Page Navigation: Top of Page
Link to: www.vidahost.com - Excellent Hosting and Support Services
Image for Decoration only
    Copyright Webmaster @ ChinaExpats Link to Us