Music of Northeast China is tied closely to the region's history. Musical traditions of the Bang Zi Theatre and folk instruments such as the Dizi, Xiao, and Baijiao Gu originate in the region. Folk songs from the northeast are noted for their contributions to nationalistic music. The popular communist-era song “The East is Red” is based upon a traditional Northern Shaanxi melody. The popularity of Western musical traditions in the Harbin province is internationally recognized, with the northern city being named a ‘music city’ in 2010 by the United Nations. a large Jewish diaspora in the region of some 20,000 throughout the 1920s in many ways credited for the city's rich musical heritage.
Manchurian shamanism
Odd numbers play a significant role in the folk music traditions of China's Northeastern region. Unique to Manchu Shamanism are the practices of the division of the three levels of the cosmos, the worshipping of three goddesses, and the belief of three souls. The significance of odd numbers is reflected in drumming patterns that form the musical accompaniment to Manchu ritual practices. The style blends performative art with singing and dancing based upon multiple dialects found throughout Northern China. Famous performers include Zhao Benshan who performed the art form on national TV from 1990 to 2011 for the televised Lunar New Year Gala. Much of the group's cultural music is heavily inspired by the customs and pastoral scenes of China's north. Many songs were produced and employed politically by the Communist party as a “political tool”
The People's Singing Society
The People's Singing Society also known as ‘Mingzhong geyonghui’ was founded in February 1935 in response to the Japanese Invasion of the north eastern region of Manchuria. Di vary in length and construction in relation to the style of regional music. The Northern ‘Bang Di’ is traditionally over a foot long, made from bamboo and consists of 7 holes covered by a reed membrane, with a pitch range of two octaves.
Xiao
thumb|160x160px|Xiao mouthpiece
Xiao or Dongxiao is a traditional Chinese vertical end blown flute widely used in Chinese folk music for its “mellow and melancholic” tone. The oldest known Xiao, carved from bone is dated circa 6000BC, however the instrument's origin is more commonly attributed to the bamboo flutes of the Han dynasty.
Baijiao Gu
The Baijiao Gu, also known as the ‘Octagonal Drum’ is an instrument widely used in the shamanic and ritualistic practices of the Manchurian peoples. The drum frame is constructed out of wood often decorated with inlaid bone. Small bells similar to the western tambourine are mounted on each side, and a drum skin typically made of snakeskin is played in a struck manner. Folkloric tradition dictates the drum's origin alongside the snare drum during the battles of the Eight Banner Military throughout the Qing Dynasty. Traditionally the drum is often played whilst dancing and is accompanied by a harpist and a singer who recount traditional Chinese stories. Titled “The Instrument of Sages”
A rock carving from Shanxi province dated between 386 and 534 a.d. Depicts a bodhisattva playing the Qin. The instrument built to resemble a willow leaf is widely used throughout Chinese music. A polyphonic instrument consisting of 17 individual pipes, each of which house a single ‘free reed