Classification of Chinese folk songs:

There are many classification methods for Chinese folk songs. According to genre classification, it can be roughly divided into: chants (including porter chants, boatman chants, workshop chants, etc.), folk songs (including general folk songs, herding folk songs, field folk songs, etc.), minor tunes (including ballads, folk songs, etc.) There are three categories: tunes, custom ritual songs, dance songs, etc.). In the works of some scholars, folk songs are subdivided into chants, folk songs, pastoral songs, field Yangko, boat songs, nursery rhymes, minor tunes, custom ritual songs, etc. Genre classification helps to understand and study the relationship between folk songs and people's lives, the social functions of folk songs, as well as musical expression methods and characteristics.

Classified by national and regional styles and colors. There are 56 ethnic groups in China. Due to the differences in historical traditions, language characteristics, and living customs of each ethnic group, the styles and colors of folk songs of various ethnic groups are very different. Some ethnic groups with a larger population and wider living areas, such as the Han, Mongolian, Tibetan, Zhuang, and Uyghur ethnic groups, can also be divided into several color areas based on the musical characteristics of folk songs in different regions. For example, Han folk songs can be roughly divided into 8 color areas: Northwest, North China, Northeast, Southwest, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong and Taiwan, Hunan and Hubei, and Jianghuai. Among them, the first 3 areas belong to the northern area, the 4th to 6th area belong to the southern area, and the 7th area , the 8th is a transitional area between north and south. The southern part and the transitional area are also divided into four regions: Yunnan, Guizhou and Guizhou, Sichuan, Hunan and Hubei, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong and Taiwan. There are different classification methods, each with its own basis.

The style and color classification method helps to understand and study the style and color of folk songs, the relationship between music and folk customs, and other issues. Classification according to subject matter and content is helpful to understand and study the relationship between the content and form of folk songs and other issues. In addition, there are also special classifications based on historical development periods or for the needs of a certain topic.