Folk songs are one of the important genres of national music, which directly reflect a nation's history, society, labor, customs, love, marriage and daily life; It is a kind companion in people's life, an assistant in labor, a weapon in social struggle, a tool for exchanging emotions, spreading knowledge and entertaining. It is also valuable information for understanding a nation's history, society, folk customs, and has humanistic research value.

second, folk songs are the foundation of national music

In the history of the development of Chinese music culture, the five categories of traditional music have influenced and enriched each other. Among them, folk songs were first formed, which played an active role in the formation and development of other traditional music genres. Many varieties of song and dance, folk art, opera and national instrumental music were directly or indirectly developed on the basis of folk songs. Such as "Lantern Dance", "Lantern Opera" and "Flower Drum Opera" in various places; Most of the varieties in Paiziqu, Qinshu and Zaqu; Music such as "Hebei Blowing Songs" and many folk instrumental music pieces, such as "Dressing Table" and "Cutting Flowers", are all transplanted or adapted from folk songs. Folk songs also have a positive influence on literati music, court music and religious music.

Third, the influence of folk songs on professional music

Historically, folk songs have nurtured literati, musicians and professional artists, and today they are still indispensable nourishment for composers. Many classic works of outstanding musicians have absorbed nutrition from folk songs since the May 4th Movement. Nie Er's Daughter in the Village beyond the Great Wall, The Dockmen's Song, The Road Song, The Yellow River Boatman's Song, The Riverside Counterpart Song, The Yellow Water Ballad, etc. in Xian Xinghai The Yellow River Cantata. China's operas with national style are closely related to folk songs: the theme of white-haired girl is based on Hebei folk songs "Pakchoi", "Biography of Qingyang" and Shanxi folk songs "Picking Wheat Roots"; The Red Guards of Honghu adopted the folk song Xianghe Ballad in Honghu, Hubei Province. Lei Zhenbang, a composer of film music, successfully used the Tajik folk tune Guliberta in The Visitor on the Iceberg.