Preliminary Study on Shanxi Drum Music

Abstract

Shanxi is a province in the middle reaches of the Yellow River Basin, famous for its rich variety of folk arts. Its Drum Music is the typical representative of folk music in nothern China. From the south to north of Shanxi, four types of drum music have been in the list of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage for the unique artistic features, musical instruments used, history, cultural function and roles in the folk life. Shanxi gong and drum music is the collective wisdom of the local people. Its unique artistic charm comes from the grandeur of the performance, flexibility and versatility of the playing techniques, as well as the combination of music, dances and folk life