China ancient music is mainly divided into: ancient music (before Qin and Han Dynasties), medieval music (from Qin and Han Dynasties to Sui and Tang Dynasties) and modern music (Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties).

Each period has its own music theory and representative works:

In ancient times (before Qin and Han dynasties), the music was mainly composed of song and dance trinity, praising the gods. The representative works are six generations of music and dance: Yunmen eulogized Huangdi, Yaoyao, Shaoshao eulogized Shun, Daxia eulogized Yu, Shang Tang and Dawu eulogized Zhou.

In ancient times, there was a mature music system, mainly composed of elegant music and fu music, which was mainly used for court and aristocratic enjoyment, and there was a certain band preparation system and education system, which was opposite to pop music. The representative works mainly include The Book of Songs and Songs of the South, and the representative figures are Confucius, Mozi, Laozi and Zhuangzi.

Medieval music (Qin and Han Dynasties to Sui and Tang Dynasties). The music system of this period includes music and Yan music, and the main popular music in Wei and Jin Dynasties. Yan music was popular in Sui and Tang Dynasties, belonging to official music, and was mostly used by court nobles. For example, Li Longji's work "Colorful Feathers" in the Tang Dynasty belongs to Le Yan's masterpiece; The representative works of pop music mainly include Guangling San.

Modern music (Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing). The music of this period is mainly rap music and opera music. The genre of rap music mainly includes drum words, aria and tune, with Jiang Kui and Cai as the representative figures, and the representative works include Yangzhou Slow, Apricot Blossom and Shadow, Dimfragrance and so on.

In the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Mainly the development of traditional Chinese opera music. The main representative writers and works are: The Injustice of Dou E by Guan Hanqing, The West Chamber by Wang Shifu, Autumn Colors in the Han Palace by Ma Zhiyuan, Ghost Stories by Zheng Guangzu, On the Wall by Bai Pu, etc.

China's music is extensive and profound, and it has its own system and distinctive features among the world's national music. No matter the music discipline, vocal cavity system or musical instrument development is very advanced, and the music works are quite rich. The colorful folk songs from all over the country have formed China folk music.