There are exact cultural relics recording the history of Chinese music as follows:

1. The historical evolution of Chinese music:

The origin of Chinese music is from ancient books. Records seen. Many ancient books record the scenes of "banging giant bells, beating drums, playing harps, and playing Yu and Sheng" during sacrifices, ancestral temples, and grand ceremonies in ancient times. In recent years, with the progress of archaeological work, it has been confirmed that the records about music in ancient books are true.

On March 28, 1993, Guangming Daily had an article about China’s No. 1 Flute written by Zhang Juzhong, which stated that bone flutes with eighteen sound holes were discovered in Wuyang County, Henan. There are more than 8,000 years. After sound testing, these flutes have a six-tone or seven-tone scale structure. It is used to play Xiaobaicai (Hebei folk song) with a crisp and beautiful sound.

From this we can infer that Chinese music originated from the primitive society between 6,000 and 8,000 years ago. Of course, our conclusion is not based solely on a few bone flutes. Archaeologists in our country have also discovered a large number of xuns from primitive societies.

Xun is an ancient wind instrument. In ancient times, Xun existed as a major musical instrument. In recent years, Chinese archaeologists have discovered a considerable number of xuns across the country. The earliest unearthed pottery xun was found in Hemudu, Yuyao, Zhejiang. It is an oval pottery xun with one sound hole.

2. The development history of Chinese music:

The formation period of Chinese music (about 21st century BC to 3rd century AD), including the Xia, Shang and Western Zhou Dynasties to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period , Qin and Han Dynasties. This period laid the foundation for the future development of Chinese music. Its most representative music art form is the bell and drum band.

The new period of Chinese music (about the 4th century to the 10th century AD) includes the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties to the Sui and Tang Dynasties. Chinese music underwent significant changes during this period, creating a new style of international music. On the one hand, world music has contributed to the development of Chinese music, and on the other hand, Chinese music has also begun to become globalized.

The organization period of Chinese music (about 10th century to 19th century AD), including Liao, Song, Jin, Ming and Qing. The music culture of this period maintained a close relationship with the ordinary civilian class and showed secular and social characteristics. Its representative music art form is the art of opera and its music.