The origins of Chinese music can be traced back to antiquity. Around 3,400 years ago, when European music was just experiencing its first rustlings of life, a complete musical theory and sophisticated musical instruments began appearing in Shang Dynasty China, owing largely to the orthodox ritual music advocated by Confucius. By the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. - 220 A.D.), the imperial court set up a Music Bureau which was in charge of collecting and editing ancient tunes and folk songs.

Though remarkable for its stability, the music of China has not been stagnant and has all the variety and richness to be expected in the art of a vast, ancient and populous land.

The importance of Chinese music extends beyond China's national borders. The presence of Chinese musical instruments, as well as repertoire and style characteristics, is conspicuous in Korea, Japan, and throughout Southeast Asia.

At the same time, because of commercial contacts with Central Asia, foreign music entered China in the form, for example, of the pipa, or lute and the huqing, a vertically-held violin. Influenced by this foreign-originating music, composers of the time modified and improved Chinese music.