Traditional Music

The Chinese bamboo zither, also called daoqin or fisherman’s drum, is a traditional percussion instrument with roots in Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) Daoist storytelling. Its crisp, ge…

The first time I heard a Chinese bamboo drum in San Francisco’s Chinatown, I thought someone was playing with coffee stirrers. Then I saw it—a musician striking a bamboo tube, prod…

Ever heard of the Chinese yangqin? At first, I thought it was some ancient speaker system. Then I saw it—a mesmerizing instrument with a crisp, bell-like tone, like a mountain stre…

In China, the dongxiao weaves the spirit of scholars and the mist of ancient rivers into its haunting notes. This bamboo pipe, played for 3,000 years, is a “spiritual totem” of sol…

In China, the bamboo flute’s notes carry the mist of江南 waterways and the winds of the Loess Plateau. This simple bamboo tube, played for 9,000 years, is more than an instrument—it’…

Imagine a sound so powerful it cuts through village chatter, wedding cheers, or funeral tears—a sound that’s both a blazing sun and a mournful autumn breeze. That’s the suona, a Ch…

The Chinese bianzhong, a set of tuned bronze bells, is one of the world’s most awe-inspiring ancient instruments. Originating over 3,000 years ago, it blends music, science, and sp…

The Chinese erhu, often called the “Chinese violin,” is a two-stringed instrument with a history stretching back over a thousand years. Its haunting, soulful sound captures the ess…

The Chinese pipa, a four-stringed lute with over 2,000 years of history, is a cornerstone of Chinese musical heritage. Known for its pear-shaped body and vibrant sound, the pipa ca…

The Guzheng, or Chinese zither, is a beautiful stringed instrument with over 2,500 years of history. Its twinkling notes tell stories of ancient China, from royal courts to modern …