Chinese traditional music

Chinese traditional music includes various music genres which have been inherited for generations in China.^[1] Specifically, this term refers to the music genres originated in or before Qing dynasty.^[2] According to the appearance, the genres can be classified into instrumental ensemble, instrumental solo, theatre, shuochang, dance music and song.^[3] It is now the primary classification in both research and education,^[4] although some genres contain different forms of performance and thus do not belong to a single category.^[5] The genres could also be classified into literati music, folk music, religious music and palace music, according to their cultural connotations or purpose.^[6]