In the ancient Chinese capital of Xi’an, in the Shaanxi Province, there is a type of music called Xi’an wind and percussion ensemble. This is played with drums and wind instruments, and sometimes with a male chorus. The music is played on religious occasions, especially at temple fairs or funerals, and the lyrics are mostly related to local life and spiritual belief. The music was originally created to accompany royal banquets, outings, and sacrifices to gods. As a result, it gradually gained popularity among the public during temple fairs and religious ceremonies. Music can be classified into two categories, which include both walking and sitting music. Walking music also includes the singing of the chorus. Marching drum music was formerly performed on the emperor's trips but has now become the province of farmers in the countryside, where they play in open fields among the peasantry. The drum bands consist of about 30 to 50 members, including peasants, teachers, retired workers, students, and others.
Approximately three thousand musical pieces have been documented, and fifty volumes of handwritten scores are preserved and continue to be used today. The music has been passed from generation to generation through a strict master-apprentice mechanism. The music of the Tang and Song dynasties was recorded with an ancient notation system and dates back to the seventh to thirteenth centuries.
In ancient times, the Middle Kingdom was the center of the world. The royal family was highly respected, and Xi'an Guyue played an instrumental role in entertaining the crowds. It is one of the only kinds of folk music that is still fully preserved in China, earning it the nickname "the living fossil of ancient Chinese music". However, this is changing fast, with its functionality and popularity fading away at an alarming rate. What has been left behind of its value now appears to be only recognized in academic studies, tourism, and religious practices. There are only six major ensembles still practicing it in suburban Xi'an and its surrounding villages. Many experts believe that the notation system unlocks the mysteries of ancient Chinese music, but at the same time, the centuries-old system has hindered its mass popularization to some extent. A restriction based on master-apprentice relationships was also revealed as an avoidable barrier. Even today, many performers insist on following an ancient rule that females are not permitted to pass down those skills.
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