The Development of Popular Music within the Han–Wei Yuefu System and its Role in Shaping the Forms of Folk Music
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70088/h62wh143Keywords:
yuefu music, folk music, musical forms, han-wei period, popular musicAbstract
The Han–Wei period marked a significant turning point in the development of musical literature; during this era, Yuefu popular music experienced unprecedented growth, and its role in shaping the forms of folk music was particularly profound. Using Yuefu popular music as a focal point, this paper examines the bidirectional interactive relationship between this genre and folk music, conducting an in-depth analysis from perspectives such as melodic structure, performance techniques, instrumental ensembles, thematic content, and dissemination patterns. The study reveals how popular music, through institutional collection practices and the reinterpretation by literati, gradually transformed the landscape of folk music. The research demonstrates that Yuefu popular music served not only as a repository for folk vocal expressions but also as a force driving the standardization and artistic refinement of folk music. Furthermore, the integration of court-sponsored musical institutions with grassroots artistic traditions facilitated a unique cultural synthesis. Through their long-term interplay, these two dimensions mutually reinforced one another and collectively laid the foundation for the flourishing of musical literature in later periods. Ultimately, this comprehensive analysis highlights the enduring legacy of Yuefu traditions in preserving indigenous cultural identities while simultaneously elevating their aesthetic and structural complexities within the broader historical context of Chinese musical evolution. This evolution underscores the dynamic nature of historical soundscapes and their profound impact on subsequent artistic generations.References
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Copyright (c) 2026 Kaiwen Tan (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
